Inconsistency in front of goal is perhaps a part of his game that has haunted him the most, but Orlando Pirates’ Vincent Pule is currently enjoying what could be argued as his best season in Pirates colours.
The 29-year-old is in his third season with the Soweto giants after joining from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits at the start of the 2018/19 season.
Although he is a winger, an area of Pule’s game that has largely failed to flatter is his return in front of goal. In his first two seasons with Pirates, he managed just nine goals in all competitions and by his own admission acknowledged that he needs to improve that area of his game.
“I think I have to add more to my goals and assists and I think that's it. I will be happy when I score goals,” Pule told the media in November last year.
True to his word, it appears that Pule has been putting in the work regarding his delivery in the final third.
While he is by no means prolific, the man from Bloemfontein has delivered when it mattered most this campaign, as seen with his goal in Pirates’ CAF Confederations Cup quarterfinal draw against Raja Casablanca on Sunday.
The strike was Pule’s ninth in all competitions for coach Josef Zinnbauer’s side and he is on course to get into double digits in terms of scoring for the first time since turning professional six seasons ago.
“I think we got our chances and if we buried our chances, I think it was going to be a different game at all. Away is vey difficult, we just have to go there and fight as a team,” Pule told Pirates media department after the Raja match.
Pule is currently Pirates' top goalscorer this season, one goal ahead of in-form Tshegofatso Mabasa and two goals ahead of Deon Hotto, as Pirates approach the business end of their continental and domestic season.
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