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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates striker Lennox Bacela admits he was delighted to
make his first appearance of the season after coming off the bench to
help inspire a 2-1 win over SuperSport United on Sunday.
The South African had been unavailable for the Buccaneers since May with a foot injury, but made his return as a 60th-minute substitute against Matsatsantsa before providing the assist for Sifiso Myeni's injury-time winner.
And, he is now hoping to regain the form and fitness which saw him finish the 2013/14 campaign as Pirates' top scorer.
"I’m happy we won the game (against SuperSport), especially having come from behind. The boys showed character and a strong will to get all three points against a very good team," Bacela told Pirates' official website.
"Everybody kept talking about this game being a grudge match, but for us, it was all about the next available three points.
"The international break gave us time to regroup and settle a bit so to come out of that time positively with a win is a great feeling. I’m also happy that I was able to play and contribute positively to the game, and will look to carry that momentum into training and hopefully the next game."
Bacela is, however, under no illusions as to the task he faces in trying to break back into the starting XI, adding: "We all work very hard in training and have a great relationship. Each man offers different things so it complements the team’s plan nicely.
"Kermit (Erasmus) likes to play with the ball, he is quick and can shoot very well. Then you have ‘Major’ (Lehlohonolo Majoro) who likes to run off the last man and get behind the defenders. I consider myself a traditional number 9, a big guy who holds the ball up and brings others into the move.
"Then there is (Thamsanqa) Gabuza who is a massive threat in both box with his presence and strength. We all use those traits in training and you see them come out at times in the game situation.
"Having the two national players also helps because they always come back with stories of the defenders they faced on national duty. I always pick up some things from their experiences to help my own game as well."
The South African had been unavailable for the Buccaneers since May with a foot injury, but made his return as a 60th-minute substitute against Matsatsantsa before providing the assist for Sifiso Myeni's injury-time winner.
And, he is now hoping to regain the form and fitness which saw him finish the 2013/14 campaign as Pirates' top scorer.
"I’m happy we won the game (against SuperSport), especially having come from behind. The boys showed character and a strong will to get all three points against a very good team," Bacela told Pirates' official website.
"Everybody kept talking about this game being a grudge match, but for us, it was all about the next available three points.
"The international break gave us time to regroup and settle a bit so to come out of that time positively with a win is a great feeling. I’m also happy that I was able to play and contribute positively to the game, and will look to carry that momentum into training and hopefully the next game."
Bacela is, however, under no illusions as to the task he faces in trying to break back into the starting XI, adding: "We all work very hard in training and have a great relationship. Each man offers different things so it complements the team’s plan nicely.
"Kermit (Erasmus) likes to play with the ball, he is quick and can shoot very well. Then you have ‘Major’ (Lehlohonolo Majoro) who likes to run off the last man and get behind the defenders. I consider myself a traditional number 9, a big guy who holds the ball up and brings others into the move.
"Then there is (Thamsanqa) Gabuza who is a massive threat in both box with his presence and strength. We all use those traits in training and you see them come out at times in the game situation.
"Having the two national players also helps because they always come back with stories of the defenders they faced on national duty. I always pick up some things from their experiences to help my own game as well."
