Orlando Pirates coach Faldu Davids hinted at unprofessionalism within the cases of several high-profile players being overlooked for the first eleven this season.
Pirates have undoubtedly one of the most talented squads in the Premier Soccer League this season but one question that has been put forward week in week out by the media has been the absence of Gabadinho Mhango.
Ghana striker Kwame Peprah is seemingly their number one upfront at present, leaving the likes of Mhango, Tshegofatso Mabasa on the fringes, while Zakhele Lepasa has recently returned from long-term injury.
Mhango won the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot in his debut season and once again proved his immense pedigree when he scored three goals for Malawi at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations en route to the round of 16.
But David suggested that it’s not talent alone that merits selection in the Buccaneers starting line-up.
“Like I said it’s about us trying the find the right possibilities to play, perhaps with two strikers, in relation to team selection there are various aspects you look at,” Davids said in their pre-match press conference ahead of the Nedbank Cup clash with Marumo Gallants.
“First and foremost, number one, are you coming to training? Are you punctual in relation to being at training and not having disciplinary issues that take you out of selection? Number one box ticked, box ticked.
“Now it’s in relation to your performance in training, your performance on how you exert yourself in training, how you’re performing in training and then trying to find the right balance in relation to the line-up.”
Davids admitted that it’s been challenging for the technical team to find the right balance and the emergence of Boitomelo Radiopane has not made things easier with 17 goals scored in the reserve team.
“Coming back to my first point again; in the first round we didn’t have Gabadinho Mhango, Mabasa was struggling with injuries, he had a run of five games in a situation,” he continued.
“Lepasa wasn’t available, Peprah was adapting to the South African game in relation to the physicality and playing style. Radiopane, [his] first season in the PSL, [we’re] integrating him in certain matches and seeing huge potential.
“But now taking a step back, he’s training with us, still improving and fighting for a place [with the first-team] and then getting minutes when not in the squad, already scoring 17 goals in the DDC – each player has their role to play.
“It’s about us finding the right moment, that chemistry in the line-up, whether it’s with two strikers or one striker and three number 10s but we need not only our strikers but all players to chip in [with goals].
“Our top scorer at the moment is [Bandile] Shandu with six goals in all competitions. [Deon] Hotto contributes on the other side, Peprah scored in the last match as well is also on six goals.
“It’s about finding the right moment, maybe two stickers are the way to solve it, to help the player who is going to lead the line to bring the best out of not just him scoring but the overall team structure and bringing the best out of others around him.”
