There could be early concern for Orlando Pirates, with regards to an area seemingly targeted by Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the second leg of the two sides' MTN8 semi-final meeting.
Before Pirates could play official matches under Abdeslam Ouaddou, he was said to be emphasizing improving the side on defending set-pieces and transitions.
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"We lost the CAF Champions League (semi-finals) because of set-plays. We went to Pyramids and we conceded three goals from set-pieces and we were out of the tournament."
From the four goals conceded so far this season, two have been from set-pieces and one from a cross inside the box.
In a 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United, Siphesihle Mkhize scored from a rebound from a set-piece and in the 1-1 draw against Sundowns, Bucs conceded directly from a corner, with Teboho Mokoena allowed a free header, after he lost his marker.
Indeed, the Soweto giants have changed how they defend set-pieces, as Miguel Cardoso's men seemed to have targeted their early phase of zonal-marking (marking spaces) under Ouaddou, which was not the case under previous mentor Jose Riveiro.
"Sundowns hardly score from set-pieces, especially corner kicks, but Teboho Mokoena, good header," Pirates legend Benedict 'Tso' Vilakazi observed on omniaudoafrica YouTube Channel.
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"I can have maybe two or three players that can do zonal-marking, but the rest, let's pick man-to-man, in a big game like this!? Mokoena had another header from a corner that he missed and asked myself, 'Guys, you saw how he scored and why do you allow him that free run in the box again?" added a fuming Vilakazi.
There was also lack of communication and indecisiveness in the last-minute goal conceded in a 2-1 defeat to Marumo Gallants after Jaisen Clifford got in between two defenders and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to toe-poke a cross with a flying kick.
