Pirates coach unhappy with scoring ability ahead of Soweto derby
Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi is worried about his team’s conversion rate going into the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Pirates, who came from a goal down to beat Sekhukhune United 2-1 on Tuesday, have scored 10 league goals in nine matches this season, and Ncikazi said they should have scored more.
In their last five matches — one win and four draws — Pirates managed to score only four goals, and that is worrying Ncikazi.
In Chiefs, the Buccaneers are up against a team that has been improving their defence as Amakhosi have only conceded two goals in their last five league matches.
“We are struggling a bit in the attacking third, we are creating chances but what is left is putting the ball in the net,” he said.
“If you check all the matches we have played, how many chances have we created and didn’t take — but we are work in progress. I am 80% satisfied, but a coach is never satisfied.
“I want us to create chances because with a score line like 2-1 against Sekhukhune, anything could have happened. It is 2-2 and it is a disaster. I am happy we went a goal down and we did not panic.
“We still created chances, but we want to be creative with the ball. We want to outmuscle opponents. We want to outsmart opponents, and if we say we are that team we should do that. Take our chances, which is not what we are doing at the moment to the best of our ability.”
Looking ahead of the derby, Ncikazi wants his charges to be ruthless in front of goal and move a few places up the ladder.
“I am happy we are playing with a bit of confidence and belief but in this match there is no form. It will depend on what happens on the day of the match and I am hoping we will play well and with confidence to get the results against a formidable side like Kaizer Chiefs.”
Ncikazi reflected on the win over Sekhukhune. “We made it difficult for ourselves,” he said. “Just take your chances, Pirates. This is not the only match. Against Maritzburg United we created better chances. It was the same story against Royal AM and Sekhukhune.
“I think the score line was not a true reflection of the match based on the number of chances we created. We had about five to six chances and we should have scored.
“Having said that, I am happy we won coming from behind, but we gave them a goal, just like we did against Royal AM. I am not satisfied.”