Orlando Pirates urged to give Sebastian Pedersen time after debut

iDiski TV analyst Benedict Vilakazi has praised new Orlando Pirates striker Sebastian Pedersen while calling for patience as the Norwegian adapts to South African football.

Pedersen joined Orlando Pirates from Norwegian 1st Division club Sogndal last month for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 27-year-old arrived after scoring eight goals and providing one assist in 14 appearances.

His first appearance for the Buccaneers came in Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final first-leg victory over Sekhukhune United. Pedersen was introduced for the final 25 minutes of the closely contested match, which Orlando Pirates won 1-0.

Despite his limited time on the pitch, the striker’s performance was enough to draw a positive assessment from the iDiski TV analyst. The main message, however, was that Pedersen should be allowed time to settle into his new surroundings rather than being judged immediately.

“He’s got good touches. He’s a player that he can see his teammate and he tries and plays the pass,” Tso said on iDiski TV.

“I think let’s give him time. The same time that we gave the Makgopas, Radiopanes, Mbuthumas.

“I think if we give him time and then let’s see what is it that he’s got in his bag from Norway.

“It’s not easy here. He needs to understand his teammates, he needs to understand the intensity of this league, he needs to understand how we play as a team, and what is it that the coach wants from him in terms of making runs.

“Let him work with the technical team, his teammates so that they can understand him.

“I saw that he’s got a bit of a vision because that is sometimes something strikers they do not have.”

Pedersen’s move to Orlando Pirates represents a significant change in both the level and style of football he is accustomed to. His new teammates and the club’s technical staff must now help him understand the demands of the team, including the timing of his runs and the intensity expected in the league.

The striker has experience of representing Norway at every youth level from under-16 to under-21, although he has not yet made his senior international debut.

He also enjoyed a prolific campaign earlier in his career. During the 2016-17 season, Pedersen finished as the leading scorer in Norsk Tipping-Ligaen avdeling 2, the fourth tier of Norwegian football, after scoring 25 goals.

His record at Sogndal was more recent evidence of his goalscoring ability, with eight goals and one assist from 14 appearances before his transfer to Orlando Pirates. The MTN8 semi-final first leg was his first opportunity to begin showing that form in his new club’s colours.

Vilakazi’s comments suggest Pedersen’s early contribution should be viewed as part of a longer adaptation process. The former Sogndal forward still needs to develop an understanding with the Orlando Pirates squad and learn precisely what the coaching staff require from him.

The Buccaneers will hope that continued work with the technical team and his new teammates will allow the striker’s qualities to emerge as he becomes more familiar with South African football.