Orlando Pirates warned Sebastian Pedersen needs better service to avoid being branded a flop

Former Orlando Pirates striker Andries “Local is Lekker” Sebola has warned that new signing Sebastian Pedersen could struggle if the Betway Premiership champions fail to provide him with enough chances.

Sebola believes the Norwegian striker has the physical qualities and finishing instincts to become an important player for the Buccaneers, but is concerned by the lack of creativity he saw during the club’s pre-season tour of Spain.

The departure of Relebohile Mofokeng, who joined Belgian side Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, has increased Sebola’s concerns about where Pedersen’s supply will come from.

“It’s a good thing they signed Pedersen,” said Sebola. “But that depends on whether he’s going to get the supply, and I ask, from who?”

Sebola said Pirates’ friendly matches in Spain gave him cause for concern because the team struggled to put strikers into promising positions.

“I watched the friendlies that they played in Spain. There were no forward passes to the strikers. They never created chances for the strikers. So that could be Pedersen’s downfall, and people might end up calling him a Palooka,” continued Sebola.

The former Pirates striker nevertheless considers Pedersen to be the type of forward the club needed. He believes the striker’s height, strength and positioning could make him a major threat if the midfielders behind him can create opportunities.

“But he’s exactly what Pirates needed, based on what I’ve seen. He’s a complete striker. He’s got the body. He’s got the height. He’s got everything. So, the only thing that I’m worried about is the supply.

Sebola added that Pedersen’s goal-scoring record suggests he is most effective when operating close to the penalty area, rather than away from the danger zone.

“If they can get someone from the midfield who can create, wherever the boy is, wherever he’s putting himself within the box, he would be a top signing. You can see with all the goals that he scored; he’s not far from the goalpost. He’s around the 18-yard area. So, you can see that that’s the striker that they needed most. I’m happy they got him, but give him the supply.”

Pirates enter the new campaign as the reigning Betway Premiership champions and were the division’s leading scorers last season.

They scored 58 goals in 30 matches, finishing one ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who found the net 57 times.

Sebola’s assessment is therefore not a criticism of Pedersen’s ability, but a warning that the striker’s success could depend heavily on the service he receives from the players behind him. With Mofokeng no longer available and concerns over Pirates’ creativity following their Spanish tour, the club may need a new midfield source of chances to get the best from their latest addition.

For now, Sebola remains positive about the signing, provided Pirates can supply Pedersen consistently in and around the penalty area.