Austin Muwowo

Austin Muwowo Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Orlando Pirates: Muwowo earns praise after difficult PSL debut

He had just ten minutes to work with but Orlando Pirates winger Austin Muwowo made an impression on his coach in their midweek draw against Golden Arrows.

Austin Muwowo

Austin Muwowo Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Orlando Pirates interim head coach Rhulani Mokwena praised Austin Muwowo after the winger made his PSL debut against Golden Arrows.

The Chipolopolo wide man was brought on late in the game against Arrows as Orlando Pirates sought a breakthrough that never came. Muwowo was unable to help the Buccaneers break the deadlock, but not for lack of trying.

Pirates frustrated again

Muwowo stepped up to take a free kick in a good position for the Sea Robbers and produced an excellent shot that needed a phenomenal save from Arrows goalkeeper Edmond Sibanda.

Mokwena praised the guts shown by 22-year-old in taking the free kick and handling the pressure of making your debut at Orlando Stadium. Muwowo was given just ten minutes to make his mark but managed to impress the stand-in boss.

“He is a very good player. No doubt about it. I think we saw glimpses of it. It is not easy to make your derby at Orlando,” Mokwena told a press conference after the match.

“There is lots of pressure, particularly because, number one, it is Orlando Stadium, the spiritual home of Orlando Pirates. number two, there is a lot of expectation and number three, the team has not been doing well.

“So, there were three heavy bags he was carrying on his debut which is not easy.

“But he showed courage, he showed character and he fought very hard in the 10 minutes that he was given. He showed a lot of quality.”

A versatile asset to the Orlando Pirates cause

Mokwena described the Zambian international as a ‘huge asset’ for the club. The coach believes that Muwowo’s versatility in attack will prove to be of great value to Orlando Pirates. Mokwena is convinced that Muwowo can replicate the form he showed in Zambian football.

“He has a left foot that is very, very sweet. He has a good touch on the ball. He has the ability to play both outside and inside,” Mokwena said.

“In other words, he can play as a number 10 and he can play on the line to isolate and dribble. He has the ability to play beyond the defence and score goals as he did in Zambia.

“He is going to be a huge asset for the Buccaneers.”

Orlando Pirates have three weeks off to prepare for their next assignment, they travel to Bidvest Stadium to face Wits on 21 September.