Muhsin Ertugral is excited by Orlando Pirates’ skilful forward signing Thabiso Kutumela‚ who came on and set up the free-kick from which he also scored in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Platinum Stars.
Lively substitute Kutumela’s 77th-minute strike in Pirates’ Premier Soccer League draw at Orlando Stadium‚ taking a deflection to beat goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela‚ would have been enough to give an efficient Pirates a victory.
But Bucs allowed Stars a 91st-minute injury-time headed equaliser by Thobani Kunene.
Kutumela‚ signed from Baroka FC in the off-season‚ had troubled Stars’ defence from when he was introduced for Bernard Morrison early in the second half‚ bringing an exciting dimension in his third substitute appearance for Bucs.
“He brings not only excitement but also a lot of scoring opportunities. He just needs a few more games‚” Ertugral said about last season’s top scorer in the National First Division.
“He’s not 100% fit. He was injured. Right now I’m not sure he can sustain more than 30 minutes.”
Ertugral said Pirates failed to manage the game‚ despite having earned a lead from a strong second-half performance. Bucs dropped points at home for a second game in succession‚ following last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Cape Town City.
Bucs did improve markedly from last week’s flat performance‚ but should have defended their lead.
“I call it game management. With three minutes to go we need to manage the game. There’s no need to attack any more‚” Pirates’ coach said.
“And when you win the ball back in that situation‚ we need to get the ball wide‚ to open another line so that we have players behind the ball‚ then in available space to keep the ball.
“We lost the ball – the distances [between the lines] were too far. I’m not sure where the corner came from. I’m not convinced‚ but the referee gave it.
“And‚ in the end‚ from the corner the goal game. And I actually have said to (goalkeeper) Brighton (Mhlongo)‚ ‘Careful‚ in those situations we need to get the ball out’. It can happen that the ball goes in. And it went in.
“I cannot be disappointed‚ because in the second half‚ the team played‚ in my opinion‚ brilliant football. They were tactically organised.
“And when you analyse a bit deeper into it‚ Kutumela had a one-against-one with their’keeper‚ Tendai should have found Kutumela free for a tap-in.
“So there are things we need to work on. Obviously it was the first time we played a 3-5-2 system. And I didn’t think we did that badly.
“But the whole point is the last-third entries – also with a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 – the last pass‚ the last decision‚ overcooking it sometimes‚ the movement‚ all needs a lot of work still.”
With the MTN8 final and then a Fifa international date scheduled in the coming weeks‚ Pirates next play against Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium on October 16. – TMG Sport
Ertugral sees potential in Kutumela‚ says Bucs still have plenty of work to do
Muhsin Ertugral is excited by Orlando Pirates’ skilful forward signing Thabiso Kutumela‚ who came on and set up the free-kick from which he also scored in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Platinum Stars.
Lively substitute Kutumela’s 77th-minute strike in Pirates’ Premier Soccer League draw at Orlando Stadium‚ taking a deflection to beat goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela‚ would have been enough to give an efficient Pirates a victory.
But Bucs allowed Stars a 91st-minute injury-time headed equaliser by Thobani Kunene.
Kutumela‚ signed from Baroka FC in the off-season‚ had troubled Stars’ defence from when he was introduced for Bernard Morrison early in the second half‚ bringing an exciting dimension in his third substitute appearance for Bucs.
“He brings not only excitement but also a lot of scoring opportunities. He just needs a few more games‚” Ertugral said about last season’s top scorer in the National First Division.
“He’s not 100% fit. He was injured. Right now I’m not sure he can sustain more than 30 minutes.”
Ertugral said Pirates failed to manage the game‚ despite having earned a lead from a strong second-half performance. Bucs dropped points at home for a second game in succession‚ following last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Cape Town City.
Bucs did improve markedly from last week’s flat performance‚ but should have defended their lead.
“I call it game management. With three minutes to go we need to manage the game. There’s no need to attack any more‚” Pirates’ coach said.
“And when you win the ball back in that situation‚ we need to get the ball wide‚ to open another line so that we have players behind the ball‚ then in available space to keep the ball.
“We lost the ball – the distances [between the lines] were too far. I’m not sure where the corner came from. I’m not convinced‚ but the referee gave it.
“And‚ in the end‚ from the corner the goal game. And I actually have said to (goalkeeper) Brighton (Mhlongo)‚ ‘Careful‚ in those situations we need to get the ball out’. It can happen that the ball goes in. And it went in.
“I cannot be disappointed‚ because in the second half‚ the team played‚ in my opinion‚ brilliant football. They were tactically organised.
“And when you analyse a bit deeper into it‚ Kutumela had a one-against-one with their’keeper‚ Tendai should have found Kutumela free for a tap-in.
“So there are things we need to work on. Obviously it was the first time we played a 3-5-2 system. And I didn’t think we did that badly.
“But the whole point is the last-third entries – also with a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 – the last pass‚ the last decision‚ overcooking it sometimes‚ the movement‚ all needs a lot of work still.”
With the MTN8 final and then a Fifa international date scheduled in the coming weeks‚ Pirates next play against Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium on October 16. – TMG Sport
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