The Buccaneers were held to a 0-0 draw by Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday night in what was the third match


Palacios: Nobody in the PSL can score

The Buccaneers were held to a 0-0 draw by Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday night in what was the third match in succession that they haven't scored, having previously gone goalless in defeats to Sundowns and Polokwane City.

Despite boasting what is said to be one of the best attacks in the league, Pirates have scored just 18 goals in 15 Premier Soccer League matches.

The likes of Bafana Bafana international Kermit Erasmus, Lennox Bacela, Ndumiso Mabena, Thamsanqa Gabuza and recent signing Helder Pelembe are all battling for a berth in the starting line-up, but none seem to be able to grab a goal, with midfielder Oupa Manyisa the club's top goalscorer with four to his name.

Palacios admits that the club's lack of goals is a concern, but believes that the problem is one that is present throughout the league.

"I think it is unfair to ask me to comment about Pirates because I work for the club. But in answering your question, yes, it is a bit of a concern when a club of Pirates' magnitude fails to score a goal in three outings, but I'm sure the coaches are working on it," he told Football411.

"In South Africa, scoring goals is a common problem. It is not only Pirates who are struggling, but Sundowns are struggling, Swallow, Arrows and a lot of other teams.

"Even Bafana Bafana are struggling.

"How many goals did Khama Billiat miss in the match against Pirates? I think about three in the first half and two in the second half, and I'm not talking about half-chances but open chances."

The Peruvian coach believes that the Sea Robbers have yet to find able replacements for Benni McCarthy, who has retired, and Tokelo Rantie, who now plies his trade for Bournemouth in the English Championship, and that the current crop simply need to apply themselves better.

"I know the coaches (at Pirates) are working a lot on combinations. After Benni McCarthy and Rantie left we've struggled to find a solid combination," he explained.

"Roger (De Sa) tried a few and Eric (Tinkler) is still also trying. But we can't blame the coaches if a player misses an open chance.

"Players need to take it upon themselves to try and rectify the mistakes they make in the game and its only takes practice, and more practice.

"Because this (missing of chances) builds in the player's reputation and this affect some of the players as time goes by."

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