Orlando Pirates' coach Muhsin Ertugral has admitted that he has his work cut out in trying to work on the team's defensive lapses.
The Buccaneers have let in five goals in pre-season matches against rivals Kaizer Chiefs (0-2) and Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat them 3-1 in the Dr Hage Geingob Cup in Namibia on Saturday.
Zimbabwean international Tendai Ndoro put Pirates ahead in the first half, but two goals from Liberia's Anthony Laffor and another from Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento saw Sundowns finish the match the stronger of the two sides.
"There were a lot of positives (against Sundowns). But in the end our defensive line is the one that we really need to work on," conceded Ertugral.
The Turkish mentor started the match against the Brazilians with Ayanda Gcaba and Edwin Gyimah in the centre of defence, while Patrick Phungwayo and Thabo Matlaba provided cover at left-back and right-back respectively.
This was just one change from the Carling Black Label Cup line-up that played Chiefs with Happy Jele playing right-back in the Soweto Derby.
Ertugral, however, is confident that he will find a solution to the defensive line and stop "gifting" goals to the opponents.
"The second [goal] was a gift and I don't know what happened there. The third was from a corner and we were organised for it. We knew where it would come, that was another gift," he said.
Golden Arrows right-back Thembela Sikhakhane is set to complete his move to the Soweto club, which gives Ertugral more options as he tries out different combinations at the back.
Pirates will return from Namibia today. They face Platinum Stars in the Maize Cup at Moruleng Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Bucs, meanwhile, lost 8-7 in a penalty shootout against African Stars in their third-place playoff.
Ertugral admits Bucs' defence needs attention
Orlando Pirates' coach Muhsin Ertugral has admitted that he has his work cut out in trying to work on the team's defensive lapses.
The Buccaneers have let in five goals in pre-season matches against rivals Kaizer Chiefs (0-2) and Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat them 3-1 in the Dr Hage Geingob Cup in Namibia on Saturday.
Zimbabwean international Tendai Ndoro put Pirates ahead in the first half, but two goals from Liberia's Anthony Laffor and another from Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento saw Sundowns finish the match the stronger of the two sides.
"There were a lot of positives (against Sundowns). But in the end our defensive line is the one that we really need to work on," conceded Ertugral.
The Turkish mentor started the match against the Brazilians with Ayanda Gcaba and Edwin Gyimah in the centre of defence, while Patrick Phungwayo and Thabo Matlaba provided cover at left-back and right-back respectively.
This was just one change from the Carling Black Label Cup line-up that played Chiefs with Happy Jele playing right-back in the Soweto Derby.
Ertugral, however, is confident that he will find a solution to the defensive line and stop "gifting" goals to the opponents.
"The second [goal] was a gift and I don't know what happened there. The third was from a corner and we were organised for it. We knew where it would come, that was another gift," he said.
Golden Arrows right-back Thembela Sikhakhane is set to complete his move to the Soweto club, which gives Ertugral more options as he tries out different combinations at the back.
Pirates will return from Namibia today. They face Platinum Stars in the Maize Cup at Moruleng Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Bucs, meanwhile, lost 8-7 in a penalty shootout against African Stars in their third-place playoff.
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