Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has called for patience over striker Christian Saile who has scored just twice since his arrival at Naturena in January.
Chiefs record a narrow 2-1 win over Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium on Saturday hanks to goals from Ashley Du Preez and Keagan Dolly while Ibraheem Jabaar puled one back for Stellies.
Saile, who led the attack on the day was unable to find the back of the net, despite many chances and was unsurprisingly substituted off off after 73 minutes.
It was the sixth occasion the Congolese striker could not get on the scoresheet since his arrival in January, however, Zwane has asked supporters to be patient.
"Christian [Saile] is one forceful player, he will always put the opposition defenders under pressure all the time, especially when he has the ball. He's not afraid of taking people on," Zwane explained post-match.
"Yes, I think today [Saturday] he was not at his best, when you look at the turn overs that he had, he could have given us that advantage. At one stage we had about four vs two, about four or five times with those break-attacks and in terms of decision making, we just couldn't get the ball in the right areas.
"[He could not be] the player that ended up taking the opportunity, instead, we allowed them [Stellies] to defend because of our decision making, but we will keep on working on these things. We will never stop. This is football.
"When you look at him, he is one positive player, he never stopped running and yes when it comes to pressing. Sometimes he finds himself in the wrong areas because he is more of an offensive player."
Saile has made eight appearances for Amakhosi across all competitions and contributed two goals.
"If you remember where he comes from, he was more like a target man so with us, we are playing with strikers that can become number 10. So, at some point we want him to drop to the pockets to cause a little bit of confusion," added Zwane.
"That's how we actually create a lot of chances, it's just that we don't take them.
"But when you look at the we they create space, the way they [Chiefs attackers] hold the ball, how many times did Mdu [Shabalala] at one stage be in a position to score, facing the keeper, maybe the first touch let him down, Keagan as well [Dolly] and Christian himself.
"But we will keep on working on these, we will never give up on them like I said, remember we are a work in progress. What was key [against Stellies] was to grind the results."
You must be Sign In to post and read comments.
Click here to register: Sign In