RDS lacks defence organisational skills. His defence
is always caught off guard playing line defence especial Lucky Lekgwathi and
Ayanda Ngcaba. The two central pair lacks effective communication amongst
themselves. They enjoy playing line defence to dismantle the proper defensive
structure of libero (sweeper) and central defender marking the striker. The
line defence is built under the tactical philosophy of an injury to one is an
injury to all. If aerial ball passes Lekgwathi, it would also pass Ngcaba due
to poor defensive techniques informed by line defence. RDS even today has not
figure out the tactical blunder of the line defence. Lekgwathi and Ngcaba are
Strong in the tackle and but not commanding in the air.
Thabo Matlaba and Happy Jele marauding runs
from full left and right backs are a good avenue of attack for Orlando Pirates.
They make far more runs forward than any other full backs in the Premier Soccer
League (PSL) back. They play more like a right and left attackers than right back and left back, and
always delivers a dangerous cross or final ball. They have fantastic attacking
abilities but the duo are suspect of leaking goals under pressure as they
always jogs back to defend from the
offensive moves. Pirates is always
vulnerable under counter attack at both left or right back.
The engine room of the team is effectively in
attack and defense. The team leading
goalscorer in the PSL is Oupa Manyisa from engine room but the team lacks
traditional trequartistas (play-maker) to make things happen. Manyisa is not a
traditional player despite having offensive ability. The team lacks traditional
play maker in the mould of Steve Leokelela, Teko Modise, Gento Kampala, the
late Ernest ‘’Botsotso’’ Makhanya. Sifiso Myeni has been assigned a role of
play maker but already failed to fulfil all requirement of playmaker due to his
on and off form but the overlooked Mpho Makola has all the ingredients to be successful
play maker in the team.
The wing play of Pirates always blows hot and
cold but Daine Klate has remained consistency throughout the year whilst Tlou
Segolela form is too erratic. Aubrey Ngoma and Khetho Masuku are not given
sufficient game times to make changes.
Lone striker tactics is not yielding
avalanches of goals. Against Platinum Stars, RDS deployed false 9 syterm which
produced goals but now Kermit Erasmus is playing in the box as lone striker
than dropping too deep to initiate attacking moves. Kermit Erasmus is slowly
but surely moving back to ineffective lone striker tactics which befit Lennox
Bacela style of play. The lone striker tactics is one of the biggest Pirates downfalls
going forward.
Conclusion
Favouritism by team coach Roger de Sa is
slowly but surely killing the team fighting spirit and morale in the camp. RDS
selects players based on reputation than merits whilst side-lining key players
such as Tlou Segolela and Mpho Makola who have an ability to turn the corner.
It is sad that the R5 million record fees international Goalkeeper Fatau Dauda
has been ignored for ineffective Senzo Meyiwa whilst Sifiso Myeni deserves a
decent break occupying the famous Mark Mayambela seat on the grandstand.
The blame for poor form should be directed to
both players and coach.
By
Owen Mundalamo
