Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Joseph Kamwendo has highlighted areas of play which the Buccaneers must improve if they are to compete strongly this season.
Kamwendo spoke to FARPost as he weighed in on the debate over the Buccaneers’ indifferent start to the season.
FIXED THE DEFENCE
He said there are some positives as coach Jose Riveiro has fixed the defence, but there was a missing puzzle upfront when it comes to scoring.
“I think it is just the confidence in front of the goal. They just need to be calm in front of the goal and make good decisions, that’s all. Otherwise defensively, they look very solid. The problem is in the final third,” Kamwendo tells FARPost.
The former TP Mazembe star then questioned whether Riveiro was getting his fielding and combinations right.
“Pirates have so far the best players in the league, but I think it is just a matter of putting right combinations that can bring success to the club,” he said.
“Fielding of players… he is getting it wrong. He has all the qualities, but I feel fielding is a problem. He needs to put a team that can go out, fight and win games.”
ADAPTING TO PHILOSOPHY
Kamwendo also suggested that some players could still be adapting to the playing philosophy of the Spaniard coach.
“It takes time for a new coach to come and install his philosophy, and it’s never easy most of the times for the players to adapt, so let’s hope the sooner, the better,” he said.
However, the former Flames captain said time might not be on the side of Riveiro, saying he needs to find a solution and start winning before it is late.
“You can see the way the team is performing, goals are not coming, and for a team like Pirates for you to compete with top teams, you need to win your matches, and unfortunately, the goals are not coming,” Kamwendo added.
The former Caps United winger said coach Riveiro started his reign well in the opening five games, but there are some areas that need fixing to restore momentum.
CAST DOUBT
“As I said, they started very well in five league matches, but they seem to be struggling at the moment,” added Kamwendo, who played for Pirates from 2007 to 2010.
Kamwendo had earlier cast doubt on Riveiro’s pedigree, saying he was a good coach but not for a team of Pirates profile.
“As I said, the coach is good, but I just feel the timing was bad. Pirates needed a coach who could come and take the team to the next level,” he reiterated his remarks.
The Soweto giants shared the spoils at 1-1 against AmaZulu on Friday in what was Pirates third straight draw.
