Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has explained why he expects striker Evidence Makgopa to reach new levels in the second half of the season and provides a progress update on fellow striker Souaibou Marou.
The Buccaneers are set to begin the defence of their Nedbank Cup title when they meet SAFA regional side Crystal Lake on Saturday at Mbombela Stadium.
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Pirates won the title by beating Sekhukhune United 2-1 in May last year, thanks to a Terrence Dzvukamanja winner. The Zimbabwean striker, now at SuperSport, his top form for Pirates in the second half of the season and Riveiro believes current strikers can do the same.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Thursday, Riveiro said he believed it's only one of his players that could have a fruitful second half of the season, but that he expected several of them.
"It's not completely one but I think another clear example is Evidence [Makgopa]," Riveiro said to journalists.
"It's a clear one for all of us, the moment that he got the continuity that he needed he showed his capacity and I think his level is going to get a different dimension in the next half of the season and that's what we all expect.
"Then the young ones, players like Relebohile [Mofokeng], Karim, Otladisa, all of those young ones. Well Otladisa is not that young but the new faces in the team. I think the improvement is coming. There is a process always.
"When we speak about Rele or Karim Kimvuidi they were here already and had enough time to make sure that adaptations were not an obstacle anymore.
"So, it's time for them to really show their capacity.
"Marou as well, I think he is making a big step forward. Much more comfortable in what we are trying to do.
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"[He was] struggling probably at the beginning of the season but right now I think the word adaptation or understanding cannot be an obstacle anymore and it's time to hopefully see them playing to the best of their capacity."
Pirates match against Crystal Lake will kick-off at 15:00.
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