With three wins from their last five, Orlando Pirates are gradually finding their best form. However, there remains one area of alarming concern in need of addressing.
The Buccaneers have been in ruthless form since the start of 2024, particularly when it comes to the side’s attacking prowess, having scored 28 goals since their first match of the calendar year in February.
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These include a 6-0 thrashing of lower SAFA regional league side Crystal Lake in the Last 32 of the Nedbank, a 7-1 thrashing of Lamontville Golden Arrows in the DStv Premiership, directly followed by a 4-2 slapping of AmaZulu FC in the last eight of the aforemention cup competition.
The startling numbers make Pirates the highest-scoring team of 2023, as of mid-April, and the second-highest-scoring team this season with 34 league goals – only log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns have fared better, with 37 goals scored.
However, in what would be some concern for head coach Jose Riveiro and even a section of the club supporters, The Buccaneer have a rather poor defensive record.
???? = ???????? ?????????????? = ?????????????? ??????????????A packed Moses Mabhida Stadium got to witness a 6 goal thriller, with some top goals peppered in the mix. ????AmaZulu 2-4 Orlando PiratesHere's all the goals ?? pic.twitter.com/ZYgGest9PY
— Sahil Ebrahim (@sahil_e_) April 13, 2024
The Soweto giants have conceded 23 goals this season, the highest amount by a team in the top four of the log table, and the second-highest by any team in the Top Eight.
In fact, Pirates have not kept a clean sheet in the league since 1-0 win against Polokwane City at the start of March – it’s the only occasion their defence was not penetrated in 2024.
To Riveiro’s credit, he has not stopped searching for solutions.
Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Olisa Ndah, Sandile Mthethwa and most recently Thabiso Sesane have all been handed a chance to be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
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In the right and left back positions, Riveiro has also made changes.
January signing Thabiso Lebitso has seemingly solved the conundrum that saw Fortune Makaringe deployed in the unfamiliar role on the right.
Innocent Maela’s recent return has also provided the coach with an alternative option to Deon Hotto.
In goal, Sipho Chaine and Melusi Buthelezi have shared responsibility and shared the spoils.
Chaine has kept nine clean sheets from 21 matches, the same amount as Buthelezi from 14 appearances.
Pirates' defensive strength will be put to the test once more when they host AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
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