Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes Evidence Makgopa's trajectory could follow that of former Bucs striker Terrence Dzvukamanja, who received verbal abuse from supporters before going on a scoring run.
The Buccaneers were held to a 1-1 draw by Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Friday night. Patrick Maswanganyi's first half opener was cancelled out by Given Mashikinya's equaliser in the second half.
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During the match, Makgopa, who is yet to score a league goal for Pirates this season, found himself at the receiving end of some verbal abuse to Bucs supporters.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Riveiro highlighted former Pirates striker Dzvukamanja suffering similar abuse but ultimately having the last laugh as the Zimbabwean scored the winner on the night.
"I think for a 23-year-old like Evidence, playing his first games for Pirates, it's important for him to feel that we support him and when I say we its all of us, it's coaching staff, his mates, his fans. It's us," Riveiro said.
"So, it goes without saying that if the atmosphere is proper, it's supportive, it's going to be much more easy for the guys.
"We are playing with much more younger players these days, you probably notice in our line-up and it' important that we take care of them, that we protect them because we all get benefit from that.
"If whoever is there in the number nine position feels that we trust him, it's going to be much more easy for him, to score a goal, to do passes.
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"But at the time, we are all a professionals and we have to handle the heat. If you cannot handle the heat, you have to get out of the kitchen. So, we have to accept it. The players usually try to do the things as good as possible.
"Today (Friday), Makgopa was close to get the second goal (for Pirates), very close. So, it's a good signal.
"That even though the things were not easy for him, he continued trying and he want to show everyone that he is good player and he has the level to play in that position for Pirates."
Next for Pirates is a DStv Premiership clash against Cape Town Spurs on Wednesday at Athlone Stadium.
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