Orlando Pirates may have ended their 14-year wait for a league title last season, but there is still plenty of work to be done if they are to build on that success.
Under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Buccaneers secured a historic treble and finally wrestled the Betway Premiership crown away from Mamelodi Sundowns. However, their triumph could easily have gone the other way.
Sundowns appeared destined to retain the title for much of the campaign, but a crucial draw against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs handed Pirates a significant advantage in the closing stages of the season.
Orlando Pirates need to improve next season
With pre-season fast approaching, Pirates must address several key areas if they are to defend their domestic crown and challenge for CAF Champions League glory.
A Clinical Striker
Pirates’ biggest weakness remains in the striking department.
While the team consistently created chances, there were several matches in which they lacked a reliable goalscorer to convert opportunities. Too often, goals came from midfielders and wingers rather than the club’s recognised forwards.
Evidence Makgopa, Boitumelo Radiopane, Yanela Mbuthuma and Andre de Jong failed to reach double figures individually, with the quartet contributing fewer than 10 league goals combined last season.
If Pirates are serious about dominating both domestically and on the continent, signing a proven goalscorer should be a top priority. A striker of Brayan León’s calibre could provide the cutting edge needed to win major honours.
A Long-Term Solution at Left-Back
Another position that requires attention is left-back.
Veteran Deon Hotto remains one of the club’s most dependable performers, but he will turn 37 next year and cannot be expected to carry the workload indefinitely.
Nkosikhona Ndaba has proven to be a useful squad player, but questions remain over whether he can establish himself as the first-choice option, particularly in the demanding CAF Champions League environment.
Pirates would benefit from recruiting a younger, high-quality left-back capable of providing defensive stability and attacking support for years to come.
A Creative Playmaker
With growing speculation surrounding Relebohile Mofokeng’s future, Pirates may soon need to replace one of their most influential attacking players.
The Buccaneers would be wise to invest in a creative midfielder who can operate behind the strikers, create chances and contribute goals. Ideally, the player should also be versatile enough to play on the wings when required.
Someone with the creativity, vision and attacking threat of Lucas Ribeiro would fit the profile of the type of player Pirates need as they prepare for another title challenge.
While Pirates have assembled one of the strongest squads in South African football, strengthening these three areas could be the difference between sustained success and falling short of expectations next season.
