Orlando Pirates legend urges Mbuthuma to emulate Kaizer Chiefs’ Silva

Orlando Pirates legend Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi has offered his perspective on striker Yanela Mbuthuma’s recent goal drought, suggesting the forward should take a page from Kaizer Chiefs’ Flavio Silva‘s book.

Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has faced scrutiny for his continued selection of Mbuthuma, who has struggled to find the back of the net for the Buccaneers in recent matches.

The former Richards Bay player has not scored a league goal for Ezimnyama since their 3-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in mid-February. That goal brought his season total to four in the league and seven across all competitions.

Pirates legend on Mbuthuma’s importance

Yanela Mbuthuma, Thalente Mbatha and Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates celebrating a goal

Vilakazi, who remains the all-time leading goal-scorer for the Soweto giants, defended Ouaddou’s faith in the striker, highlighting Mbuthuma’s crucial off-the-ball contributions.

“I like what coach Ouaddou did, to say ‘I cannot keep on changing the striking force’, to stick with Mbuthuma,” Vilakazi explained on theomniaudioafrica YouTube channel as per Soccer Laduma. “Mbuthuma is key in the final third. Remember, all these teams are playing with four defenders.”

“One needs to pick up a player and one has to cover, which creates space and allows the wingers to come into the pockets. He creates spaces for his teammates to go in and score. The reason Mbuthuma plays is because he’s the one making the team create chances,” he added.

Bucs striker told to learn from Chiefs’ Silva

Flavio Silva of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates scoring against Magesi FC. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

Vilakazi pointed to the striker’s intelligent movement as a key factor in the team’s attack. “You look at his runs into the box, two centre-backs follow him, then the midfielders come into the spaces, and that’s where they get the goals.”

However, the Pirates icon believes Mbuthuma could improve his own goal tally by being more selfish in front of goal.

“The only downside I would say is that sometimes he needs to be greedy when he gets into that box,” Vilakazi suggested. “Sometimes you have to force your way, the way Silva did against Magesi. Force your way to turn and take a shot. Otherwise, there’s nothing else.”

Orlando Pirates are set to resume their Betway Premiership campaign with a home fixture against AmaZulu at the Orlando Amstel Arena.