Tso Vilakazi Drops a Bombshell on “Baby Haaland”, Says Pirates Wasted Money
A Pirates legend has just told the Buccaneers’ faithful what many whisper in private: the club’s Norwegian striker is not worth the money.
Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi did not soften the blow. The former Orlando Pirates midfielder said Sebastian “Baby Haaland” Pedersen has been a waste of the club’s cash, and he has the evidence from week to week.
“Pirates wasted money on Pedersen. Bafethu, I am saying this based on what I see week in week out,” Vilakazi said.
His case is simple. If Pedersen were any good, he argues, Abdeslam Ouaddou would play him.
“We still see Mbuthuma, Makgopa and Radiopane. Why I am saying Pirates wasted money on (Baby) Haaland is because if he was any quality, I doubt Ouaddou was going to bench him.
“Sometimes he does not even make the match day squad. I remember Radiopane at some point was not in the 18 match day squad, but he would come in the next match and be in the starting team.
“And where is Pedersen at that time? Makgopa was injured and came back and went back into the team. Where is Pedersen? We still see Mbuthuma starting games.”
Vilakazi said the issue gets bigger now that Pirates are in the Champions League group stage.
“Pirates are now in the group stages of the Champions League and need a quality striker because they have quality players elsewhere.”
He praised Mbuthuma’s work in creating space for the wingers, calling it “brilliant”, but said Pirates will need a different kind of player when matches are tight.
He pointed to Sundowns’ game against USM Alger, when he wanted Iqraam Rayners to be selfish and shoot.
“And does Pirates have such a striker? A striker that when things are tough, you can know that when the team comes into those pockets and it’s crowded, and we can pump balls inside and he can get a header, or take a shot.”
Vilakazi pointed to Pacome Mayele’s goal against Sundowns as the example of what he means: a striker who takes his chance with a defender a step away.
“Pirates now need a finisher for when the wingers and other attackers cannot find the spaces.”
