Meyeni starring for Pirates
Sifiso Meyeni has been instrumental in Orlando Pirates picking six points from their last two Premiership matches.
|||If Mamelodi Sundowns are a yellow train that is steam-rolling everything and everyone in their path, then Orlando Pirates are something of a home-made go-kart, slowly picking up momentum.
That go-kart, however, has a new driver in Sifiso Myeni who has been used in a new-old role, as the linkman between midfield and attack - playing just behind Thamsanqa Gabuza. In the two matches he has played in that position, the Buccaneers have picked up six points against Ajax Cape Town and University of Pretoria which saw the outfit break into the top eight for the first time this season.
“I am getting a lot of freedom in this role which I enjoy,” Myeni said. “It has been a good ride, I started there at (Bidvest) Wits but most people thought I was a winger. That’s where I started my career. People are starting to see the true Sifiso, playing one touch football and getting inside the box. I am now coming up with more shots on target and getting into more scoring opportunities. My maturity also helps to get the best out of me in that role because I have been in the game for a long time. I am not like the player I was when I started. I am better at seeing and creating space, so when I play with Gabuza and he moves wide I go and exploit the space he leaves in the box, as defenders will chase Gabuza. If they come to me I play one-twos with him and open up more space.”
That’s exactly how the second goal came in the 2-1 win over Ajax Cape Town where Gabuza went wide to leave Myeni in the box as the leading forward. Gabuza eliminated three defenders which left Myeni with just the goalkeeper and a defender to beat, which he did with ease. In the absence of Kermit Erasmus, Myeni has developed a telepathic understanding with Gabuza while the club have been forced to change from a 4-4-2 system to 4-2-3-1.
“Truth be told Kermit is one of the players who knew how to play in the hole; playing in a 4-4-2 you need a striker who has that ability,” Pirates coach Eric Tinkler said. “We lost Kermit and we needed someone who can do that for us. Sifiso was obviously the natural choice because I knew him from our days at Wits. We were quite successful in the 2013 CAF Champions League with Sifiso playing that role. He put up his hand and said coach, let me play behind Gabuza, which is a good thing.
“For me the last two performances from him have been fantastic.”
The main reason Myeni has produced those ‘fantastic’ performances is because of the understanding he has with Gabuza. Tinkler ill be hoping the duo continue with that understanding on Wednesday when the Sea Robbers host Sundowns at Orlando Stadium. The Brazilians have been a well-oiled machine this season.
“The understanding I have with Gabuza comes from us working well together,” Myeni said. “If I pull wide he stays in position but if he pulls wide, I have to be in his position as the main centre forward because I know he is pulling someone with him. I use the space left behind, if someone comes to me that means space is opened for one of our wingers. I am enjoying my football.” - The Star