Majoro Defends Mbuthuma as Pirates Striker Faces Growing Backlash
Yanela Mbuthuma is facing growing scrutiny at Orlando Pirates, but former Buccaneers striker Lehlohonolo Majoro has urged supporters to look beyond missed chances and recognise the work the young forward contributes to the team.
Mbuthuma came under fire following Pirates’ 1-1 draw against AmaZulu FC on Wednesday night after failing to convert several promising opportunities.
The missed chances have added to questions surrounding the striker’s place as Pirates’ preferred attacking option. However, Majoro believes the criticism does not tell the full story.
According to the former Pirates forward, modern strikers are expected to contribute far more than simply scoring goals.
“We used to consider a striker as someone who scores goals. But now, as a striker within a team, you have a role that you play both in defence and attack,” Majoro said.
Majoro believes Mbuthuma is one of the players who embraces that responsibility, particularly when Pirates lose possession.
“I believe someone like Mbuthuma is one of the strikers who does that selfless and hard labour in helping the team regain the ball when out of possession.”
Majoro: Supporters Need to Watch Mbuthuma Differently
For Majoro, one of the biggest problems is the way supporters evaluate strikers.
Goals remain the most visible measure of a forward’s performance, but Majoro believes other aspects of a striker’s contribution can easily be missed when fans focus solely on the scoresheet.
“But us as supporters, because we are still thinking in the sense of, ‘Is he scoring enough?’ we don’t get that,” he said.
He added that some players make important contributions that are not immediately reflected in statistics.
“There are players who do a lot of things in the game, but it requires you to watch the game with a different eye to see them.”
The comments come at a time when Mbuthuma is under increasing pressure to deliver in front of goal.
Majoro Admits Goals Still Matter
Despite defending Mbuthuma, Majoro was careful not to suggest that goals should no longer be used to judge strikers.
He acknowledged that scoring remains a fundamental part of the position and that a striker’s season is ultimately measured by his output.
“I am not saying strikers should not be judged on the number of goals,” Majoro said.
“At the end of the season, they check the number of games against the goals scored. That is still what determines the striker.”
However, he believes there is an important distinction between how supporters assess a player and how coaches evaluate him.
Why Does the Coach Keep Picking Mbuthuma?
Majoro said coaches look beyond statistics when deciding which players fit their tactical plans.
“The coach looks at it differently. Did this player execute our plan? Did he add value to the team?” he said.
“That is why you will see a coach playing a certain player over and over again.”
For Majoro, repeated selection is often an indication that a player is fulfilling instructions that may not always be obvious to supporters watching from the stands or at home.
He said fans often question selection decisions without knowing the tactical considerations behind them.
“With us watching from the outside, we ask ourselves, ‘Why is the coach playing this one?’”
Majoro recalled being told during his playing career that every match requires a specific plan and particular types of players.
“I was once told that each game goes with a plan and the type of players needed within that plan.”
Pressure Mounts on Pirates Forward
Mbuthuma’s missed opportunities against AmaZulu have ensured that the spotlight remains firmly on the young striker.
While goals will continue to shape perceptions of his performances, Majoro’s defence highlights the wider responsibilities placed on modern forwards.
The debate at Pirates is therefore unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Mbuthuma will ultimately need to combine his defensive work and pressing with greater consistency in front of goal if he is to silence his critics.
For now, Majoro’s message to Pirates supporters is straightforward: judging a striker requires more than counting the chances he misses or the goals he scores.
