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Gumede's wait pays off

Orando Pirates player Tshepo Gumede. Picture Credit: Gallo Images
Orando Pirates player Tshepo Gumede. Picture Credit: Gallo Images

Tshepo Gumede puts his long wait to break into the Orlando Pirates defence down to the quality of the team.

After what must have seemed an almost unending wait, 24-year-old centre-back Gumede has brought much-needed pace playing next to Ayanda Gcaba as Pirates have started 2016 unbeaten.

"The people who were playing were doing a good job, that's about it - it's simple," Gumede said of his prolonged absence from Bucs' starting XI after signing from Platinum Stars in January 2015.

"It's not the nicest of times. Then again, we're all in it for the good of the team. As long as the team are doing well - which they were in the CAF - all you can do is put pressure and hope your chance comes.

"It's also encouraging because it also shows the competition we have. And it makes us push one another."

Gumede played one game for Pirates last season, initially understandably back in the pecking order behind the huge experience of players such as Siyabonga Sangweni and Rooi Mahamutsa.

This season, the 1.77m, solid and neat defender had added one MTN8 match - the 1-0 home quarterfinal defeat against Ajax Cape Town.

However, as Bucs continued to tire from the exertions of reaching the Confed Cup final, their domestic form wavered and their centre-back partnerships progressively looked aged and tired. Finally, his name was on the team sheet as a starter in Pirates' 1-1 draw against Platinum Stars back from the Christmas break. Bucs won their next game 2-0 against Pretoria University, but had to fight back from 3-0 down for a dramatic 3-3 draw against Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium last Saturday. He should play again this Saturday when Bucs travel to Jomo Cosmos (Olen Park, 6pm).

"We weren't decisive in doing what we were supposed to do. Whenever we didn't have the ball we were just too far apart as the whole team," Gumede said of Bucs' nightmare opening 36 minutes in Pietermaritzburg.

"The coach gave us a talking-to at half time. He showed us what we were doing wrong, where we could improve. We definitely felt that, from where we were, the point that we gained was important."

Gumede said Pirates can take positives from not having lost this year. Now, the defender said, the emphasis is on gaining points.

"We're going to Potch [to face Cosmos] for nothing other than three points," the defender said.

FIXTURES

Friday:

Wits v Polokwane City, Bidvest Stadium, 8pm

Saturday:

FS Stars v Celtic, Goble Park, 3.30pm; Cosmos v Pirates, Olen Park, 6pm; Sundowns v SuperSport, Lucas Moripe, 8.15pm

Sunday:

Chiefs v Platinum Stars, Cape Town Stadium, 3.30pm; AmaTuks v Aces, Loftus, 3.30pm; Chippa v Ajax, Buffalo Park, 3.30pm

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