Thulani Hlatshwayo

Thulani Hlatshwayo of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 match between Orlando Pirates and Baroka FC on the 28 November 2020 at Orlando Stadium , Soweto/ Pic Sydney Mahlangu/Sports Inc

Josef Zinnbauer defends selfless leader Thulani Hlatshwayo

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has leapt to the defence of Thulani Hlatshwayo following their 3-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Thulani Hlatshwayo

Thulani Hlatshwayo of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 match between Orlando Pirates and Baroka FC on the 28 November 2020 at Orlando Stadium , Soweto/ Pic Sydney Mahlangu/Sports Inc

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has leapt to the defence of Thulani Hlatshwayo following their 3-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.

READ | MANQOBA MNGQITHI SAYS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYED WELL BUT SHOWED ARROGANCE

The Bafana Bafana captain has experienced a dip in form in recent games, having scored an own-goal in the 1-1 draw with Swallows before a blunder which led to Mamelodi Sundowns’ second goal on Sunday.

However, Josef Zinnbauer has emphasised the positive impact Thulani Hlatshwayo has had at the club both on and off the pitch and called for patience as the former Wits defender is also still settling in at the Buccaneers.

READ | BENNI MCCARTHY WILL BE NAMED NEW BAFANA BAFANA COACH ON WEDNESDAY

“I don’t want to talk a lot about mistakes by my players, we do this internally. But I can say that it is always in a situation where players have bad times and good times,” said Josef Zinnbauer, as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

“When we talk about the start of the season, he was very strong for us, he is a leader and he fights.

“At the moment, you can see he is a bit unlucky, but he played a lot of games without breaks, he is always on the field fighting. He is always training 100 percent, he goes forward, he leads the team.

READ | HUGE TRANSFER NEWS: PITSO MOSIMANE ISSUES INSTRUCTION: GET ME PETER SHALULILE!

“It is not so easy when we speak about a leader, when we speak about a captain. He is not alone on the field and after training sessions, he doesn’t say it’s finished for me, no. During training, before training and after training he has talks with the young players.

“He leads the guys, he gives them motivation and he gives the young players and others who have some problems, he gives them direction in the squad.

“He is everywhere and it’s not easy for us to say he can focus on himself. We need to give him a bit more time and maybe he can rest and recover. He is a big player and a national team player,” Josef Zinnbauer concluded.