Ghana's Edwin Gyimah among FIVE players Orlando Pirates must sign to become title contenders again

Published on: 07 July 2015
Ghana's Edwin Gyimah among FIVE players Orlando Pirates must sign to become title contenders again
Edwin Gyimah

Orlando Pirates have already taken major steps in the off-season transfer market with a quintet of signings. However, their work is far from done. While Felipe Ovono may make the goalkeeping position his own, and while Tendai Ndoro may prove to be an excellent striking option, and a fine foil for the likes of Lehlohonolo Majoro and Kermit Erasmus, the squad is not yet complete.

Defensive areas remain a concern, while several key figures among the Bucs’ options are ageing and may not be as reliable and as efficient as they once were.

In this feature, we profile five signings Pirates must still make over the coming weeks and months in order to cement themselves as genuine contenders for the PSL title.

Without some of these recruits, Irvin Khoza’s Soweto giants may struggle to overhaul the considerable 19-point gap that separated them and champions Kaizer Chiefs last season.

Edwin Gyimah

The main outstanding area of concern is defence, and specifically, who will play in the heart of the backline ahead of new recruit Ovono.

The player many Bucs fans would like to see in the heart of the defence is Ghana international Edwin Gyimah.

The Black Star can call upon PSL experience, having featured in the top flight with SuperSport United and Mpumalanga Black Aces since 2011. He is an accomplished defensive operator, while he also possesses the technical prowess to preserve the ball and launch attacks from the base of the pitch.

Most importantly, perhaps, he is a versatile option, and could move into the defensive midfield position should circumstances demand.

Abbubaker Mobara

Many of the qualities that can be spotted in Gyimah can also be found in Mobara, even if the Ajax Cape Town man is not quite as accomplished as his Ghanaian counterpart.

Like Gyimah, Mobara is a versatile option, and while he could also do a job for Pirates in midfield, I’d love to see a youthful, composed Gyimah-Mobara axis in the heart of the defence.

Siphele Ntshangase

Pirates are well stocked for forwards, and as such, it may seem strange to advocate that they bring another attacker to the club.

However, for a talent as special as Ntshangase, we think they should make an exception.

The Black Leopards frontman is only 22, and still has a lot to learn, but while he may be considered ‘one for the future’, he could also contribute now. It would also be fascinating to see what tutelage from the likes of Erasmus and Majoro could do for Ntshangse’s game.

While they could surely teach him a few tricks of the finishing trade—a part of the youngster’s game that needs improvement—it remains to be seen how the forward would handle the pressure of life at the Orlando Stadium.

Puleng Tlolane

If Bucs want to increase their goal-threat, however, then why turn to a player with the rough edges of Ntshangase, rather than buy-in a ready-made article?

Puleng Tlolane managed 11 goals in 26 outings for Polokwane City last season—six more than the side’s next-highest contributor Rendani Ndou—and was one of the key reasons why Kosta Papic’s side avoided the drop last term.

Tlolane made his international debut last season, and while he has been linked to the likes of SuperSport United, Pirates could do a lot worse than turn to the 24-year-old. In terms of ability and consistency, Tlolane could definitely represent better competition than Lennox Bacela, but does he have the mentality for a top three club?

A new coach

Already, there is a newfound optimism at Pirates following the quintet of exciting additions made by Dr Irvin Khoza.

In this feature so far, I have discussed the further playing-signings the coach must make in order to push the side to the pinnacle of the South African game, but does Khoza also need to invest in the coaching staff?

The jury is out on Eric Tinkler. He is a young manager learning the ropes in the game.

He has guided Bucs to the group stage of the Caf Confederation Cup, and deserves praise for that, but is he the man to lead a title challenge? Is he the man to merge together the many talented individuals in the squad and create a cohesive unit?

There are other names who could offer the kind of experience and big-game nous to both manage the big egos in the squad and form a cohesive unit from the disparate strands of the Bucs’ squad. Will Khoza keep faith in Tinkler during difficult times having decided to give him a chance to lead the team for the upcoming season, or will he pull the trigger and turn to a proven PSL coach midway through the season?

By Ed Dove, Goal.com

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