Thulasizwe Mbuyane has come to the defence of Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa, who sometimes faces criticism from supporters for not burying some of the chances that come his way.
Makgopa has so far this season featured in 34 matches in all competitions, scoring eight goals with two assists.
READ | DEAL: Matlaba spotted at a new club
"Makgopa, I believe, can still improve and do more. He is effective as a target man and is winning battles on the field," notes Mbuyane, the former Bucs striker.
"The players around him are scoring because he draws defenders away from them. He creates space for the midfielders, allowing them to be more clinical. Although he might not appear to be a direct threat, he is doing fantastic work."
Evidence of this is in the goal scored against Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup on Sunday, where the lanky marksman made a deceiving run as Patrick Maswanganyi passed to Deano Van Rooyen, thus taking a defender with him and opening up a channel for the right-back to pass into.
Mohau Nkota then laid it off for Maswanganyi after receiving the pass from Van Rooyen, with 'Tito' providing the assist for Kabelo Dlamini as the side won 1-0.
"Yes, I understand that goals define a striker, but it's rare to find a team where the striker is the top goalscorer because strikers spend a lot of time with their backs to the goal.
"Many players in South Africa don’t turn defenders as often as one might hope.
"It's not like the days of Jerry Sikhosana when strikers could turn defenders inside out until they fell. Nowadays, strikers are primarily there to hold the ball for incoming midfielders.
"The formation is no longer 4-4-2. The game is much more technical," adds 'Juju'.
READ: FIFA adds another SA club to transfer ban list
"So, it is unfair to expect Makgopa to score many goals. However, strikers will always be judged based on their goal-scoring ability."
The former Baroka FC man is expected to line the line at FNB Stadium on Saturday as The Buccaneers host Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
