Steve Lekoelea: Kudakwashe Mahachi is a good addition to Orlando Pirates' squad

Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea has urged the club's supporters to be patient with Kudakwashe Mahachi.

The Zimbabwe international recently joined the Buccaneers from their Premier Soccer League (PSL) rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mahachi spent three successive seasons with Lamontville Golden Arrows where he established himself as one of the top wingers in the PSL while on loan from Sundowns.

The left-footed attacker netted 10 goals in 67 league matches and his exploits attracted from Bucs, who snapped him up ahead of the current campaign.

Lekoelea feels that Mahachi needs time to adjust to life at Bucs, who are expected to win at least one major trophy this season under their Serbian coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic. 

"I rate Mahachi highly as a player and I think he is a good addition to the Pirates squad," Lekoela told Goal. 

"However, I believe that he will do well at the club once he has found his feet at Pirates," the 39-year-old continued.

Mahachi made his official debut as a substitute as the Buccaneers drew 1-1 with Highlands Park in a league clash at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg last weekend.

The 24-year-old winger also featured as a substitute during Pirates' 1-0 victory over Chippa United in a league match at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth in midweek.

"People should be patient with him because he has now joined a big club which comes with a lot of pressure. The culture is also different," Lekoelea added.

"There was less pressure at Arrows and he showed that he is a good player. He excelled because he had adjusted to life at Arrows," the retired player explained. 

"He is now surrounded by other quality players at Pirates. People have high expectations, but he will do well once he has settled down," he concluded. 

Mahachi and his Pirates team-mates will face SuperSport United in the 2018 MTN8 Cup quarter-final match at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.