‘Exceptional Talent Identified: Recognition of a Promising Player’

Former Orlando Pirates player, James Mothibi, has praised Melusi Buthelezi for his perfect start in the club’s colours. Buthelezi made his debut as a substitute for the injured Sipho Chaine in the Carling Knockout clash against Cape Town Spurs last Friday and was then handed his first start on Tuesday against AmaZulu in the league.

The 25-year-old managed to keep a clean sheet like he did in the previous match in cup, as Bucs came back with a point from Durban after the 0-0 draw.

Mothibi has praised Buthelezi for his performances and is expecting more from him in the coming games. He said, “I think there have been so many injuries at Orlando Pirates but that’s also a positive for those who have not been getting a chance to play to finally get game time. You just mentioned the goalkeeper and the first time I saw him play against Cape Town Spurs, I liked how his body is structured. I liked how confident he was in playing from the back. Even some of the supporters were nervous in seeing the team playing from the back, I noticed. But I understood because it’s very difficult when you are not there to see the boys training. You don’t know how the coach wants the boys to play and it’s very difficult for the supporters to understand. In modern football, players need to start playing from the back.”

Mothibi also believes that Buthelezi has the potential to become the team’s number one goalkeeper. He added, “He (Buthelezi) is a very good modern goalkeeper and he is just like Chaine. In him and Chaine, Pirates have two very good goalkeepers and I think with time he can be the team’s number one. I have not seen much of him when it comes to facing a lot of aerial balls and when he is under pressure, and that’s where I would like to see him. But from afar, as a coach, role model and an ex-player of Orlando Pirates, I see someone who has got belief in himself and has got confidence in terms of playing from the back. Good luck to him and he must continue to play the way he plays and whoever identified the boy saw a top talent.”

Melusi Buthelezi has made a perfect start to his Orlando Pirates career, and his performances have been lauded by former Pirates player, James Mothibi. Mothibi believes that Buthelezi has the potential to become the team’s number one goalkeeper and is expecting more from him in the coming games.