By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates’ attacking frailties persisted during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Cape Town City in a Premier Soccer League showdown in the Mother City on Saturday.
The Buccaneers’ attack has been a major drawback in their season, having managed 10 goals in 15 PSL games, the second-lowest tally in this PSL campaign.
In trying to fix problems upfront Pirates sprung into action last week, bringing in a forwards coach revered for working with Premier League and England stars.
Scott Chickelday, a former Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers academy coach, is now part of Jose Riveiro’s backroom staff.
Just before taking up the Buccaneers role, Chickelday was having individual finishing sessions with Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as well as Chelsea attacker Xavier Simons, on loan at Hull City.
Chickleday had little time to sharpen the Soweto giants’ forwards for the trip to Cape Town after starting work last Thursday but he witnessed first-hand what he was hired to fix.
After the game, Riveiro struggled to explain exactly what the problem was upfront, especially during the second-half.
“There is no explanation for that, if you want to go deep with the analysis I think we have to talk about the chances we create and not the number of goals we score. To score a goal is a complicated thing,” said Riveiro.
Pirates’ top-scorer in the league, Monappule Saleng, has a measly two goals.
Despite already having eight strikers to pick from in his squad, Riveiro could be forced to go into the market this January looking for a reliable attacker.
Problems at the top of the pitch have seen Pirates further drop to 18 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has also identified the attacking impotence as the team’s Achilles heel.
“As a team, I think we can bury more of our chances because we create a lot, it was not just today [Saturday]. If we can convert what we create, then it will be better,” Chaine said.
Chickleday will have more time to work with Pirates forwards ahead of hosting Golden Arrows on Saturday.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates lost 2-1 to Cape Town CIty on Saturday
Image source: Orlando Pirates
