Alex Heredia: Orlando Pirates' technical team will have goalkeeping selection headache on their hands

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper coach Alex Heredia says it will be interesting to see who will be Orlando Pirates' No.1 goalkeeper next season.

The experienced coach believes coach Milutin Sredojevic and his technical team will have a headache when it comes to selecting his goalkeeper of choice.

Heredia has praised the four net minders in Siyabonga Mpontshane, Jackson Mabokgwane, Wayne Sandilands and new signing, Brilliant Khuzwayo.

Although, the Buccaneers started the previous season with Sandilands who joined from Mamelodi Sundowns, he fell down the pecking order midway through the season, allowing Mpontshane to claim the No.1 spot.

On the other hand, the arrival of Khuzwayo who joined as a free agent after leaving Kaizer Chiefs last season means that competition will be tight for a place in the starting XI.

To the Argentine coach, the technical team including the goalkeeper coach as well as the management, must come together in order to make a decision on whether or not they should release one keeper.

Heredia spoke to Goal on Monday, suggesting that the coach cannot make a decision on his own, although he will be the one calling the shots in who starts for the Soweto giants.

“They are all competitive goalkeepers, experienced and we know they fought for the jersey last season,” Heredia told Goal.

“Sandilands started well for them, but I am not sure whether he was injured or not, but Mpontshane also came in and made a vital contribution,” reacted the Argentine mentor.

“Sandilands settled down quickly but was unfortunate to lose a place and Mpontshane showed his experience in fighting to become a regular,” reacted the coach.

“He stepped up, but I also think they conceded easy goals at crucial moments, I am sure they will work on those things in their pre-season,” added Heredia.

“These are four goalkeepers especially with Jackson and Brilliant arriving from Chiefs – they all have qualities and experience at highest level,” said the former Bafana keeper coach.

“However, it all depends on who the coach decides to keep because he must ensure they are all happy, but he will have to sit down with the technical team and management,” continued the former SuperSport goalkeeper coach.

“If they will keep the four keepers, it is difficult to say or predict, but you know they will have a long season as they will go to Africa next season,” he reacted.

“They might play about 55 to 60 games and that will require depth because there will be injuries, suspensions and so on - he may decide to keep them,” he added.

“I am sure the coach will come up with a great decision, but it will not be easy to decide and it is an interesting one - we will see,” he explained.

“Going to Zambia to prepare the team is a great idea because they are back in the Champions League, they will need to get used to paying away from home because some of the players are not used to that,” said the coach.

“They had a good finish last season and it will be good to start on a high once again, and I am sure the players are now clicking with their coach who was in charge for the first season,” added the man who worked under Gordon Igesund at Bafana.

“The players are motivated and I am sure they will have a great campaign with a squad capable of winning trophies. So going to Zambia will help the team in forging unity, have moments together, it will help them,” he concluded.