Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea has publicly praised coach Abdeslam Ouaddou for finally giving Evidence Makgopa a starting opportunity ahead of Yanela Mbuthuma. The Buccaneers have struggled for goals from their strikers, with both Mbuthuma and Makgopa managing only ten league goals between them. In the last two matches, Ouaddou opted to start Makgopa, and the striker responded by finding the net against Chippa United. Lekoelea told KickOff that he was happy the coach finally saw the light, adding that if Makgopa had started in all those previous matches, the conversation around the league title race would be very different.
Lekoelea did not hold back in his assessment, stating that he was pleased Ouaddou had finally realised his mistake in persisting with Mbuthuma. The former Pirates star argued that the team's attacking midfielders and wingers have been responsible for the majority of the goals, highlighting a systemic issue that had been masked by the coach's selection. With Makgopa now delivering results, Lekoelea believes the Buccaneers have the momentum on their side as they battle Mamelodi Sundowns for the Betway Premiership title, noting that this season’s race has become far tighter than last year when Sundowns wrapped it up with five games to spare.
Looking ahead, Lekoelea stressed that Pirates must win all three of their remaining matches to stay safe, because Sundowns remain dangerous with a squad full of quality players capable of sweeping their own fixtures. He compared the run-in to a race where only five kilometres remain to the finish line, urging full focus and no room for error. With Ouaddou now seemingly committed to Makgopa as the first-choice striker, Pirates hope to keep their title hopes alive and force Sundowns into a nerve-wracking finish to the campaign.