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Building from the back

Orlando Pirates coach Muhsin Ertugral believes Abbubaker Mobara will be vital in the team's defensive play as the Turkish-born mentor continues to build for the new season.

Speaking after the 2-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Black Label Cup at the weekend, Ertugral is eager to fix Bucs' defensive frailties ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Bucs' new signing Mobara, who was coached by Ertugral at Ajax Cape Town in 2013, appears to be central to the coach's plan.

The 22-year-old, who is currently in Brazil with the U23 team that is participating in the Olympics, mainly played as a centre-back during his time with Ajax.

Ertugral, though, has earmarked a role for Mobara in central midfield where he thinks he will flourish and provide defensive cover.

"At centre-back, I think he has his challenges and for us in midfield, he wins the ball a lot," said Ertugral.

"He's very clever in one-on-one situations and I think that will be very vital for us to have a player like that in the middle of the park."

Meanwhile, Gladwin Shitolo, who turned out for Golden Arrows last season, also appears to have a future under Ertugral.

"Shitolo, for me, is a surprise package. I see him as a future Bafana Bafana player. He just needs to get a little bit more confidence.

"He had a very good season at Arrows [in midfield], but I think he is a centre-back, because the way Pirates has to operate is playing from the back," said the coach.

Based on these assessments, it is clear that the former Chiefs mentor is paying attention to a Pirates defence that changed constantly last season.

Under former coach Eric Tinkler, Pirates used at least five central defenders in the past season - Ayanda Gcaba, Tshepo Gumede, Edwin Gyimah, Rooi Mahamutsa and the now retired Siyabonga Sangweni.

Ertugral will try out new combinations when the Buccaneers meet Mamelodi Sundowns in a four-team Hage Geingob Cup in Namibia on Saturday.

"It is important for us to play against the best and to see where we are struggling. There is no magic stick in football," Ertugral said.

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