Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has heaped praise on Orlando Pirates’ new signing Andre de Jong following the Buccaneers’ convincing 4-1 win over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The New Zealand international was on the scoresheet as Pirates cruised to victory, catching the eye with a composed and energetic display.
“I have to give credit to De Jong. He’s a very dangerous player and I think he played well in the first half. He hardly lost the ball and made runs into dangerous spaces,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“Well done to him for showing composure. It’s not easy to take a penalty when the team has strikers like Mbuthuma. He showed maturity by scoring from the spot, and this will give him confidence going forward.”
Pirates new man De Jong impresses Khanye
Khanye also felt Tshakhuma were always up against it and used the match as a learning opportunity rather than a genuine contest.
“They knew they were going to get a hiding, but at the same time they wanted to sell themselves and be seen,” he added.
“They went all out and played an open game, pressing the Pirates defence, but because of Pirates’ experience, they were able to move the ball well and attack effectively,” Khanye said.
The outspoken pundit also singled out midfielder Mbatha for praise, tipping him as a key figure in Pirates’ recent performances.
“Well done to [Thalente] Mbatha. He’s been the engine for Pirates in the past three games and makes the team click. I’d like to see him play alongside [Sipho] Mbule in the coming games.”
Khanye said Pirates should also look to bring Mbule back into the starting eleven as an attacking midfielder.