Naughty Mokoena: Orlando Pirates midfielders and strikers should share scoring responsibility

Ex-Orlando Pirates player Naughty Mokoena has stressed the importance of the team's midfielders and strikers to share scoring responsibility.

The Soweto giants have shrugged off their scoring problems which saw them endure a slow start to the current 2018/19 campaign.

"Well, the midfielders and strikers should share the responsibility of scoring goals," Mokoena told Goal. 

Bucs strikers came under heavy criticism as the team struggled to score goals in the early stages of the current season.

Mokoena feels that Pirates midfielders should also contribute in front of goal as the team looks to mount a serious challenge for the PSL title.

"An attacking midfielder's role is not only to create chances for the strikers, but he should also chip in with goals," he continued.

The Buccaneers are now the highest scoring team in the league having hit the back of the net 16 times in 12 games.

"So, Pirates should not rely entirely on the strikers to score goals for them because midfielders need to share the burden," he added.

Speedy left-winger Luvuyo Memela finished as Bucs' top goalscorer last season after scoring five goals in the league.

"Last season, Luvuyo Memela flourished as an attacking midfielder - scoring goals and creating chances for his team," Mokoena explained.

This season, winger Vincent Pule, who joined Pirates from Bidvest Wits in June 2018, is the joint top goalscorer in the league with four goals.

"Vincent Pule has stepped up in the absence of Memela, who has been unlucky with injuries this season," the former Moroka Swallows player said.

"The most important thing is that the team should be able to create chances and convert them," he concluded.