Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says the selection of much-maligned striker Terrence Dzvukamanja is warranted in the side of late as, while remaining mum on Kermit Erasmus’ absence.
Dzvukamanja’s movement up top was impressive and he scored the first goal, rising up well to meet Kabelo Dlamini’s cross to open the scoring in the first half, repaying the coach’s faith as the Buccaneers beat Richards Bay 2-0 at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
But Pirates, who were superior to Bay, missed plenty of chances thereafter, before Monnapule Saleng popped up in the last minute to score the second to settle the game in the last minute.
The win saw Pirates move to second in the DStv Premiership table with 40 points after 24 matches played, the same number as third-placed SuperSport United and fourth-placed Kaizer Chiefs, but ahead on goal difference.
The two Soweto teams took full advantage of SuperSport’s draw against Chippa United by beating Bay and Stellenbosch FC, respectively, with Riveiro discussing his decision to start Dzvukamanja after the match.
“If the coach is playing Dzvukamanja, it is because I’m hundred percent sure of his contribution,” the Spaniard said.
“KB [Dlamini], Thembinkosi Lorch, [Monnapule] Saleng – it doesn’t matter and everybody is working well. Fortunately we have 30 players who are ready to play, all of them and that speaks very well about the group that Pirates have this season.
“I think our fans should be proud of the work ethic of these guys, the quality that they have, the hunger that they want to achieve things and representing this badge.”
It is slowly a change of fortune for Dzvukamanja who was on his way out of the club in January transfer window to join SuperSport, sources have told iDiski Times, but when the move didn’t materialised SuperSport signed Zakhele Lepasa instead on loan.
Dzvukamanja, who will see his contract with the club expire at the end of the season, was booed by Pirates fans in the 3-1 win over Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium in January.
But there too, as much he’s not fan favourite, delivered the goods, scoring in the dying minutes before Vincent Pule scored the third to win the game late – overall, he’s netted three times in his last four starts for the club.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear why Erasmus was not part of the match day squad on Saturday, with Riveiro, as he always does, not wanting to go into details but it sounded like the former Mamelodi Sundowns striker is carrying an injury.
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“He was not available for selection this time,” said Riveiro.
“But I don’t like to talk about individuals, about injuries. We got different weapons for this game and hopefully Erasmus can be with us very soon.”
Pirates return to action on Saturday, when they will face Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, having a score to settle with the Chilli Boys, who beat them 1-0 at Orlando Stadium, which remained Daine Klate’s only win in charge of the club.
