Former Chiefs star Mbesuma advocates for striker coaches in PSL

Former Zambia and Kaizer Chiefs striker Collins Mbesuma has thrown his weight behind the idea of introducing specialized striker coaches to the PSL.

The Zambian legend, who enjoyed a prolific career in South Africa and is now a striker coach at Sekhukhune United, believes such a move could significantly enhance the goal-scoring prowess of strikers in the SA top-flight.

Mbesuma’s plea comes amid concerns over the declining goal-scoring standards in the league. Last season, Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa emerged as the top scorer with a modest 16 goals.

While a few PSL teams have experimented with striker coaches, such as Scott Chickelday at Orlando Pirates and Benni McCarthy at Manchester United, the concept remains relatively uncommon in South Africa.

Mbesuma himself holds the record for the highest goals scored in a single PSL campaign, netting 23 goals in the 2004/05 season. In recent years, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Peter Shalulile came close to matching this feat but fell short by two goals

EX-CHIEFS STAR MBESUMA CALLS FOR STRIKER COACHES IN PSL

Mbesuma believes that dedicated striker coaches could significantly improve the goal-scoring abilities of players in the PSL, helping to elevate the league’s overall standard.

“I see now that I started at [Pretoria] Callies as a strikers coach. I want to thank the chairman of Callies, the management and the coaches for giving me that opportunity,” Mbesuma told FARPost.

“What I have seen is strikers need help. You have to put the ball in the net. It’s not like defenders, as a striker you have to put the ball at the back of the net.

“There are a lot of problems when it comes to front players [strikers]. They need proper attention. PSL teams must employ strikers’ coaches because you are working on the individual.

“So they need someone in that department; that’s what I have seen working from [Pretoria] Callies to Sekhukhune United. Each and every team needs that; that department is very sensitive.”

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