Orlando Pirates coach Fadlu Davids has shed light on the continued absence of star striker Gabadinho Mhango from the starting XI.
Despite being included in the 20-man squad in the last few matches, Mhango, who is on the back of a fine AFCON display with Malawi, has had to play second fiddle to the likes of Kwame Peprah and Zakhele Lepasa, who have staked their claim as the club's first-choice attacking pair.
But Davids has revealed that the 29-year-old is getting closer to the starting XI, although the competition in the Bucs attacking department is not doing him any favours.
"I don't like to talk about individual players... We treat all our 36 players the same. Not only Gabadinho Mhango but Tshegofatso Mabasa, [Boitumelo] Radiopane, who is scoring every week and looking at us like, 'when am I getting my opportunity?' but it is about managing the squad," Davids told journalists in a Soweto Derby virtual press conference.
"Yes, as you saw in the last couple of matches, he's been in the squad and it's only a signal of how he has been performing in training, so it definitely puts him a step closer and fighting for a place. So is Mabasa and Radiopane, and that competition is strong. At the moment, Gabadinho Mhango has the nod in the last few matches ahead of Mabasa and Radiopane but they are working, they are fighting and working hard to push [Zakhele] Lepasa and [Kwame] Peprah who are in the squad and both doing well.
Davids further explained that the competition in the squad ranges throughout the entire team and that all 36 of their players could receive an opportunity at any moment.
"That competition is strong, and we tell all our players not only strikers but double six and wingers. [Thabiso] Monyane is doing very well week in and week out waiting for his opportunity but the player playing in that moment is also pushing and doing well so its competition throughout the squad.
"I can only send the signal out, not only to one player but to the entire squad to work hard and be ready, that opportunity can come at any moment. There are players that are big match temperament players, we know them. The competition for the starting line-up is completely open," he said.
