Mbesuma targets new heights at Bucs

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Collins Mbesuma was unveiled by Orlando Pirates on Thursday.

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Collins Mbesuma has always been a man of few words. Orlando Pirates, however, will hope he can silence the doubters in front of goal this season, having snapped up the Zambian international on a three-year deal from Golden Arrows.

Rumours linking the former Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows front man to the Buccaneers surfaced at the end of last season. And they were confirmed on Thursday as the 28-year-old was unveiled at Rand Stadium.

Mbesuma is a slightly strange buy for Pirates, given that he seemed to reach his peak about eight years ago, netting 35 league and cup goals in one title-winning season for the Amakhosi in 2004/5.

“Ntofotofo” has never hit those heights again, though a decent season and a half at Arrows has clearly convinced Pirates that he is worth a punt.

Mbesuma scored 11 league goals in the 2010/11 season after signing for Arrows in December 2010, though he followed that up with only seven last season.

“The chairman (Irvin Khoza) promised at the Pirates awards that there would be one more signing at Pirates,” said Bucs coach Augusto Palacios.

“For the PSL and for Africa, I am very happy with this announcement.”

Pirates must hope Mbesuma’s experience can benefit them as they defend a second successive domestic treble and launch another bid in the African Champions League.

Mbesuma was typically softly spoken as he was introduced on Thursday.

“I think it is not going to be easy, they have quality strikers here, and I will do my best to get into the team,” he said. “I didn’t come here to finish my career, I have too many years to play. I’ve just come to prove myself and take my career to another level.”

The Zambian was also a little coy on whether he could ever match his exceptional goalscoring achievements at Chiefs with the Buccaneers.

“Let’s put the past behind us,” he said.

The first task for Mbesuma as a Pirates player could come as early as Sunday with Pirates taking on SuperSport in an MTN8 semi-final first leg in Polokwane. The Buccaneers do have their injury concerns up front, with Ndumiso Mabena out for three weeks and Benni McCarthy nursing a calf injury.

In midfield, meanwhile, Andile Jali had to go to the doctor yesterday for a scan.

“Benni had a problem with inflammation in his calf yesterday,” said Palacios.

Palacios, however, was uncertain on whether Mbesuma would travel to Polokwane.

“He will start training tomorrow and we will see what happens. We still have two days to decide,” said Palacios. – The Star