Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has provided an update on the possibility of striker Souaibou Marou getting regular game-time in the second round of the DStv Premiership season.
Marou joined Pirates during the 2023 January transfer window from Cameroonian side Coton Sport. The attacker came to the Buccaneers with high expectations after scoring 21 goals in all competitions a season before joining the Soweto giants.
The 23-year-old forward has since struggled to adapt to life at Pirates and he’s yet to open his scoring account. Marou has only featured in eight appearances across all competitions since signing over a year ago.
His struggle with game-time has sparked exit talks from Pirates and his agent Mike Makaab told FARPost that they were looking to get Marou to move elsewhere in January 2024, However, the Cameroon international has since remained with the Ghosts to fight for his position.
Souaibou Marou is competing with Evidence Makgopa, Kermit Erasmus, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Zakhele Lepasa for a place in the striking department.
In the current campaign, Lepasa and Makgopa have been the preferred choice to lead the Pirates’ attacking line. Lepasa has 10 goals in all competitions while Makgopa found the back of the net five times.
Meanwhile, Marou came on as a second-half substitute when Pirates played to a 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the league last Saturday.
JOSE RIVEIRO DELIVERS VERDICT ON MAROU
Riveiro has hinted that the bulky attacker could play regularly as he’s now comfortable with the style of play.
Asked if there are players in his squad showing potential, Riveiro said “I think a clear example is Evidence [Makgopa]. The moment he got the continuity he needed he started showing his capacity.
“I think his level is gonna get even a different dimension in the second half of the season and that’s what we all expect. And the the young ones, players like [Relebohile] Mofokeng, Karim Kimvuidi, [Katlego] Otladisa, they have been around, we have to make sure the adaptation is not an obstacle anymore.
“So it’s time to show their capacity, Marou as well, I think he’s been making big steps forward in the last three months. He’s much more comfortable in what we are trying to do, struggling at the beginning of the season but right now like I said the word adaptation can’t be an obstacle anymore and it’s time hopefully to see him play to the best of his capacity.”
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