Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer says he is delighted to see the likes of Bongani Sam and Paseka Mako put pressure on regular first-team starters.
Zinnbauer handed Sam his debut for the Buccaneers on Saturday as they beat Highlands Park 3-1, while also giving Mako a rare start, which was vindicated with a goal from him on the stroke of half-time.
The impact the pair had on the game at Orlando Stadium has given Zinnbauer a few selection headaches moving forward, but the German tactician is pleased to see squad players challenge for starts.
"We're happy that we have players who can come in‚" said Zinnbauer, as quoted by TimesLive.
"Sam and Mako came in and it's nice for me that they had a good game.
"Mako scored and that's the thing that the coach wants.
"We want to see the work that we put in the training sessions on the field of the game. Mako and Sam made this and we're happy.
"Sam was waiting for a long time for game-time but I'm happy that he had a good performance. Mako too... it's good that the players want to be in the team.
"They're now in the team and they don't want to get out.
"This seems to be working now and we have fun in training and when you've got the result you can work well with the team."
Pirates are now unbeaten in their last six league outings and have moved up to fifth in the Absa Premiership standings.
- TeamTalk Media
