Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has confirmed that new striker Kermit Erasmus is available for selection and could make his debut against Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend.
Erasmus left Sundowns last week after falling down the pecking order with the arrivals of Marcello Allende and Abbubaker Nassir at Chloorkop and penned a two-year contract for a second spell with the Soweto giants on deadline day.
His first appearance this season is expected to be at Orlando Stadium when the Buccaneers welcome The Brazilians in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal tie on Saturday afternoon.
Riveiro has been impressed with Erasmus in training over the course of the week that he’s worked with him and believes the diminutive forward’s arrival came at the perfect time, but calls for patience.
“Well, I’ve found an experienced player – smart, professional because he’s in good fitness levels, which tells me that he was taking care of himself, and it’s a ready, plug-and-play player,” said Riveiro.
“He’s ready to perform and train, and it takes time of course [because] he’s just arrived a few days ago and has had a few experiences with the group, with the team and the methods so far, so we need to be patient.
“We cannot think about the past, like when we spoke about results, we cannot think about what he did but we have to think about what he can do for us from now.
“We need to be patient, understanding that he just landed three or four training sessions ago.
“Hopefully he can help us very soon, we need everyone because of what’s coming – five league games and two semifinals in October.”
“It’s exciting games, so we’re going to need everyone, and Kermit’s experience in the league and overseas will be important for us. I can see an interesting player there, for sure.”
