Monnapule Saleng of Orlando Pirates challenges Sifiso Hlanti of Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates: This alarming stat shows they have a problem
No Orlando Pirates’ player has managed to score in more than one DStv Premiership match this season after 13 matches.
Monnapule Saleng of Orlando Pirates challenges Sifiso Hlanti of Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates have endured a rollercoaster season so far this season but one thing that has remained consistent is their struggle to find the back of the net.
Pirates most fluent attacking performance came in a cup game and featured late goals against an opponent throwing the kitchen sink at them, in the league though the pickings have been slim.
Orlando Pirates’ struggles laid bare by the stats
Monnapule Saleng leads the goalscoring for Pirates across all competitions. However, his PSL scoring has been confined to his brace against Golden Arrows.
Orlando Pirates’ struggles in front of goal have been chronic. The out-and-out strikers in the squad have also battled for game-time.
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Pirates brought two strikers in during the extended transfer window first signing Cameroonian marksman Bienvenu Eva Nga and then seemingly deciding that wasn’t working out and bringing Kermit Erasmus back from Mamelodi Sundowns.
A new dawn or the same old story
Erasmus has struck up a promising partnership with Saleng, however the long FIFA World Cup break comes at a bad time for them in their quest to get into their attacking stride.
Saleng has earned his promotion due to the faltering of the club’s senior attackers.
Erasmus has looked lively on his return both creatively and also as a finisher.
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The stat that reveals Orlando Pirates’ problems is that no player in their ranks has managed to score in more than one league match this season.
Pirates have missed the only spot-kick they have been awarded this season with star defender Nkosinathi Sibisi the man who stepped up to take the kick amid a crisis in confidence in the strikers and fluffed it.
In 13 PSL matches in the 2022/23 season so far, Orlando Pirates have hit the back of the net just nine times with goals coming from seven different players.
Other teams are aware of the problems. That has impacted the tactics they use against Pirates. However, the season is not yet at halfway.
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Pirates have also been kept scoreless in six matches this season. It is not all doom and gloom for the Sea Robbers though.
They haven’t lost in any league match when they have managed to get onto the scoresheet and remain in contention for a continental football berth.
Will business pick up in front of goal after the break?
