Orlando Pirates sign new goalkeeper coach to assist the club’s FIVE shot-stoppers

Orlando Pirates have added goalkeeper coach Sjoerd Woudenberg to their technical team ahead of the new 2021/22 DStv Premiership season.

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The 34-year-old former Go Ahead Eagles and Cape Town City coach has filled the void left following the exit of Jyri Nieminen in December 2020.

Ready for the new challenge! ☠☠ @orlandopirates #goalkeepercoach pic.twitter.com/lBr6UIRywo

— Sjoerd Woudenberg (@woudenberg86) July 27, 2021

The Buccaneers currently have no fewer than FIVE goalkeepers signed to the club, namely Wayne Sandilands, Richard Ofori, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Kopano Thuntsane and Elson Sithole.

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Sandilands had previously taken up the responsibility of goalkeeper coach in the absence of a permanent employment.

Reflecting on his time with Orlando Pirates thus far, Woudenberg said according to Kickoff: “If you train every training session and goalkeeping session at the highest level, [the players] should adapt quickly to my way of working, the way I try to improve the goalkeepers.

“To be honest, if you look at the last week, how they have already made steps in their development, it won’t be tough to reach the highest level, especially at a club like Pirates [where] you must be the best goalkeeper in the country, and that’s what I want to reach with all of the goalkeepers.

“We have a tough pre-season but I think it is very good for the guys and, if you look at the squad, if you look at the goalkeepers, if you look at the technical team, it is top quality in every department and I’m happy to be here.”

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Orlando Pirates will next be in action in the Carling Black Label Cup against Kaizer Chiefs at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday, 1 August at 17:00.

The 2021/22 DStv Premiership season kicks off on Friday, 20 August.