Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has responded to criticism from the stands towards Evidence Makgopa and reminded their supporters that they used to boo former striker Terrence Dzvukamanja, before he turned out to be one of their favourites.
The Buccaneers' frustrations continued in the Premiership, as they dropped points for the third consecutive game, against Polokwane City and currently occupy 13th position on the log.
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With the score level at 1-1 in the last 18 minutes against Polokwane at Orlando Stadium, Pirates supporters were starting to get impatient with Makgopa, as they whistled for his substitution against Rise and Shine in the closing stages.
Riveiro says they will continue to give Makgopa support but as professionals, they have to handle the heat.
"I think for a 23-year-old guy like Evidence, playing his first games for Pirates, it's important to feel that we support him and when I say 'we' it's all of us, coaching staff, mates, fans," Riveiro said in a press conference.
"So it goes without saying that when the atmosphere is proper, supportive, everything is gonna be much easier for the guys.
"We're playing with a lot of young players nowadays, it's important that we take care of them, we protect them, because whoever is in the number nine position feels we trust him, it's gonna be easier for him to score and play good passes," he said.
"But at the same time we're all professionals, we have to handle the heat. If you can't handle the heat, you better get out of the kitchen. So we have to accept it."
Former Pirates striker Dzvukamanja had a similar situation with the fans under Riveiro, as he was booed coming off the bench after a long injury lay-off in his first few games under the Spanish coach but he became one of the favourites once he started scoring.
The Spanish tactician recalled a turning point for Dzvukamanja, who scored a winner against Golden Arrows last season after being booed and went on a scoring run in the last campaign, which culminated in him scoring the winning goal in his last game in the Nedbank Cup final against Sekhukhune United.
"I remember last season the same situation with one of our strikers (Dzvukamanja), he came in here against Golden Arrows, with the score 1-1, 10 minutes to go and suddenly he scores a goal, he gave us three points and the people got more quiet," Riveiro continued.
"Makgopa was close to scoring the second goal, it's a good signal that even though things were not easy for him, he continued to try and wants to show everyone that he's a good player and has the level to play in that position for Pirates," he added.
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