When Andile Jali left Orlando Pirates last season for Belgium outfit KV Oostende, a gaping hole was left in the middle of the park and the midfielder’s flamboyance and guile was immediately missed.

In a bid to balance out his loss, the club secured the services of Issa Sarr, who in his own right, filled the position to the best that he could. Having a good season at Mayfair thus far, we as fans got used to seeing a different looking midfield with Sarr adding different qualities to the squad to that of Jali.

Sarr, however, has stated in this week’s edition of Soccer Laduma that he was not brought in as a direct replacement for Jali, but that it’s more about playing as a team with each player having to pull their own weight.

“I didn’t want to be seen as here to fill Jali’s place. You know, Pirates, they always have top players in their team. Almost every season they have a top player, but it’s not about one player. You come to Pirates, you do your job and go. You understand what I mean?” Sarr said when asked if he's here to replace Jali.

“I cannot compare myself with every player. Andile Jali is a good player, but Oupa Manyisa is also a good player. I came here to do my part. When it’s time for me to go I will go and leave the place for another player,” he added.

He also compared the situation to that of when he was at one of his previous clubs, Chippa United, saying that there are many legends a team cannot replace.

“Then another player will come and do the job. You know it’s different from Chippa United, for example, where you don’t know any legend. At Pirates there have been many legends and you can’t replace them all. What’s important is to do your part and leave it for players who will also do their part,” he further said.

Reflecting on his sentiments, do you think that in his own right, Sarr has made the midfield his own this season?