Pirates striker coach leaves after Mamelodi Sundowns defeat

Orlando Pirates striker coach Scott Chickelday has left the club after the Soweto giants suffered a defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership clash.

Pirates lost 1-0 to Sundowns at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon courtesy of solitary goal from in-form starlet Cassius Mailula.

Sundowns claimed their 15th successive victory to move 23 points clear at the summit of the log standings with 55 points tally.

Prior to losing against the Tshwane giants, Pirates were on a three-game winning streak after beating Golden Arrows, Stellenbosch and Marumo Gallants in the league.

Despite scoring nine goals in their last three matches, Pirates’ striker’s coach Chickelday has abruptly left the Soweto based-side.

SCOTT CHICKELDAY’S BRIEF STATEMENT

“Not the results I wanted in my last game with Orlando Pirates completed,” Chickelday confirmed on his official Twitter account.

“We dominated for 90 minutes to lose 1-0 against top of the table Mamelodi Sundowns.

“Thanks to everyone involved with the club and to the fantastic supporters for making me so welcome,” he added.

Chickelday, who was roped in by Pirates in January 2023 to help solve the club’s goal-scoring issue did not state the reason for his departure.

He is not the first striker coach to be in the books of Pirates after Stephane Adam was the striker’s specialist during the 2018/19 DStv Premiership season under Milutin Sredojevic.

Pirates remain the only club with a silverware this season after winning the MTN8 against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium last year November.

However, the Ghosts have seemingly struggled to find a consistent winning formula in the league.

The Buccaneers have won eight games, drawn four and lost seven times after 19 games played.

Pirates are currently positioned fourth on the Premiership table with 28 points accumulated.

The Jose Riveiro-coached team will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they shift their focus to the Nedbank Cup tie.

They face Motsepe Foundation Championship side All Stars at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday, 11th of February.

Kick off for that match is scheduled for 20:00.

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