Bruce Ramokadi says Orlando Pirates should have signed Peter Shalulile

Orlando Pirates legend Bruce Ramokadi believes his former club missed an opportunity by not signing Peter Shalulile, saying the Namibian striker could have supplied the intelligence and movement needed to complete the team.

Shalulile, 32, recently ended his association with Mamelodi Sundowns by mutual consent after limited playing time last season. The two-time African champions subsequently parted ways with the forward, who has since joined Tanzanian giants Young Africans.

The Namibia international has scored one goal in five appearances for Young Africans so far.

Ramokadi feels Pirates already possess sufficient quality and depth in most areas of the pitch, but believes their attack required a more intelligent focal point. His comments come as the club’s forwards have struggled for consistency in front of goal, although Boitumelo Radiopane and Yanela Mbuthuma have recently found the net for the side.

Speaking to iDiski Times senior journalist Matshelane Mamabolo in edition 271, Ramokadi said Shalulile was the type of player who could have added a different dimension to Pirates’ forward line.

“I think they’ve got the quality and the depth,” Ramokadi told iDiski Times.

The former Pirates player praised the club’s defensive and midfield options, but identified the centre-forward position as his main concern.

“They’ve got it at the back and in the midfield. My only concern is the main striker. You don’t only need a striker to run the whole game.

“You just need a clever striker who can stop players, make good, clever runs. Even if he doesn’t score, you need a clever striker. I thought they would sign Shalulile.

“That was my wish.”

Ramokadi’s assessment comes during a period in which Pirates’ strikers have not consistently delivered in front of goal. Radiopane and Mbuthuma have offered encouragement with recent goals, but the former club legend believes the squad would have benefited from a forward capable of contributing through movement and decision-making, even when he is not scoring.

Shalulile’s departure from Sundowns brought an end to his time with the club after he was unable to secure regular playing opportunities last season. He has now begun a new chapter with Young Africans, where he has registered once in his first five games.

Pirates, meanwhile, continue to rely on the quality already available within their squad. Ramokadi’s view is that the club had the necessary strength at the back and in midfield, but that signing Shalulile could have addressed what he regarded as the remaining weakness in the team.

The full comments appeared in issue 271 of the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper, which is available free of charge.