Despite the recent growing concerns around the Orlando Pirates strikers struggling to score goals, coach Jose Riveiro says he is not worried to the point of getting another striker coach.
It has since been evident that the Buccaneers have been having difficulties in finding the back of the net in recent outings this season, only managing to score more than one goal once in their last 11 games in all competitions.
Early this year, Pirates parted ways with former Tottenham Hotspurs striker coach Scott Chickelday, six weeks after he had joined them.
Chickelday appeared as if he had made an instant impact at the club, as he helped the Sea Robbers score 10 goals in the four games.
Speaking to the media after their narrow 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Tuesday night, Riveiro said his side does not need a striker coach but must start scoring goals early.
“No, we don’t need a striker’s coach,” Riveiro said.
“The players have more relevance in the way of playing than the coaches in general. I try to adapt to the game plan and everything that we do depending on who [players] is on the field at that point.
“So, we try to mitigate our problems in front of goal by trying to find other ways to score the goals.
“Today (Tuesday), the goal came in a combination in the central corridor full of quality and talent of players by playing one-twos in areas that we want.
“But sometimes we also need to open the field, to play crosses and have more presence in the box.
We create enough scoring chances
“So, like I usually say, I am not really concerned about the situation because all we must do is score early in the games, because we create enough goal-scoring opportunities.”
The striking department comprises of Kermit Erasmus, Zakhele Lepasa, Eva Nga, Souaibou Marou and Evidence Makgopa, who has since been leading the line of attack for Riveiro.
Lepasa is currently Pirates’ leading goal scorer with 10 goals in all competitions, having started the season like a house on fire, banging goals in almost every match.
The Bafana Bafana international saw his form drop, with his last goal coming against Stellenbosch FC in the MTN 8 semi-final at the beginning of September before he started firing blanks.
Pirates will now have time to work on their finishing and will be looking to capitalise against their struggling rivals Kaizer Chiefs when they meet in the Soweto derby on Saturday afternoon.
