Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori has been warned about the need to stick to basics to avoid messing up his World Cup chances just a month before the global showcase in Qatar.
Ofori was at fault in Pirates' 2-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United in midweek.
He was beaten at the near post for the first goal and then for the second made a mess of a harmless back pass and was eventually dispossessed allowing Vusi Mncube to stab home.
For a keeper of his qualities, this was horrible.
The 28-year-old is suspended for the match against Richards Bay on Saturday night but will also be worried about his World Cup chances considering he is facing competition from Joe Wollacott, and Abdul Manaf Nurudeen amongst other keepers.
"There is no need for Ofori to be doing things that he is not comfortable with for the sake of impressing now that the World Cup is around the corner because that will leave him down in confidence," warns retired keeper Avril 'Tshawe' Phali.
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"I know that the issue of going to Qatar is playing out loud in his mind now because the World Cup is next month, and he wants to go there so feels the need to impress at his club.
"My advice is that he should focus on the job at hand here at Pirates instead of disturbing himself about going to Qatar.
"What he does at Pirates is what will take him to Qatar so that is what he should focus on.
"I know the World Cup is the biggest stage and the pressure is enormous, but he needs to realize the need to keep it simple and not be wanting to do things that he knows he is not good at.
"Goalkeeping mistakes are suicidal unlike other positions so that is what needs to be understood.
"Ofori needs to keep to the basics and with his footwork not up there he should know by now what he needs to avoid.
"It is dangerous that he is getting to make such mistakes so close to the World Cup because it will affect his confidence.
"He needs to stay switched on," says Phali.
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