Former Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund believes that Orlando Pirates need to start winning matches if they are going to challenge for the league title.
The Buccaneers have endured a difficult start to their 2018-19 Absa Premiership campaign. Milutin Sredojevic’s men have won just two of their five matches in the league, drawing one while losing two.
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Former Pirates coach Igesund, who won the 2000-01 PSL title with the Sea Robbers, revealed to Goal that his former club’s slow start has been down to the coach still searching for the right combinations.
‘They are still trying to find the right combinations as they are in a rebuilding phase. It is also still early days. They have played only five games,’ said Igesund.
With Sredojevic still trying to blood in the likes of Paseka Mako, Vincent Pule and Kudakwashe Mahachi, who were brought in the off-season, it has been Pirates’ woes in front of goal that has cost them according to the legendary South African coach.
‘They are struggling in front of goal thus far. They are able to create goal-scoring opportunities, but finishing has let them down.
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‘I believe that once they have found their strongest combinations and fixed their scoring problem, they will start winning matches again.’
The Soweto giants sit five points off table-toppers Bidvest Wits, who have started the season in fine form, winning five of their opening four games.
‘Having said that, Pirates should start winning games now because there are teams like Wits who began the season well. Wits are playing with a lot of confidence and they know how to win it [league title],’ Igesund added.
‘Their early-season form has seen them find the back of the net with ease and win games which sees them placed at the top of the league standings.
‘Once Wits or any other team open a 12-15 point lead at the top, it will be difficult for Pirates to catch them. They have to get their act together and keep up with the pace-setters,’ he concluded.
Pirates will next be in action when they face SuperSport United at the Orlando Stadium on 15 September.
