While the Ghost showed Yanela Mbuthuma some love on Tuesday, the question remains: Should Evidence Makgopa be leading the line as the title race hits the home stretch? Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
COMMENT
It was encouraging to see The Ghost rally behind Yanela Mbuthuma with every missed pass or shot at goal during Orlando Pirates’ 5-0 win over Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership clash at Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday night.
But the fact that coach Abdeslam Ouaddou continues to back him as his No 9 ahead of Evidence Makgopa at this stage of the season – where every point and goal matters to stay in the title race – still raises questions.
Mbuthuma, a winter signing from Richards Bay, has scored seven goals and registered three assists in 25 matches across all competitions this season.
While that return shows he can score goals, it is simply not good enough to guarantee a starting berth at Pirates. Had he at least reached double figures, that would be slightly more convincing.
The 24-year-old’s struggles are not only down to circumstances, as he has missed clear goal-scoring chances – much to the displeasure of The Ghost, who had previously booed him before their show of support on Tuesday night. His increased game-time ahead of Makgopa, who has six goals and three assists in 25 matches, has been questionable.
Makgopa has improved tremendously this season, getting into the right spaces and showing a better understanding with his teammates. That’s why he made impressive cameos, earning a standing ovation from the stands.
Makgopa is also in the right headspace and hungry for game-time, as he looks to impress and cement his place in the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming World Cup in June.
But instead of channeling that energy onto the pitch – where he could help Pirates in the title race against Mamelodi Sundowns – he finds himself playing second fiddle to Mbuthuma, who is in a love-hate relationship with the supporters.
It’s a bizarre situation that Ouaddou, for his own sake, will hope does not cost them in the final weeks of the season.