How Dzvukamanja turned yours truly into one of his converts...

In January, when there were reports that Terrence Dzvukamanja was on his way out of Orlando Pirates, I said good riddance! He was, after all, one of the deadwood Pirates had to get rid of.

Instead, it was Zakhele Lepasa who was allowed to head SuperSport United, where Dzvukamanja was allegedly supposed to go and reunite with his former coach at Bidvest Wits, Gavin Hunt.

At that time, I was convinced that Orlando Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro, is a crazy man.

How could he possibly let Lepasa go, and keep a passenger like Dzvukamanja in the team?

Five months down the line, with the season having just ended, I am eating humble pie, and I must say, it tastes like embarrassment.

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Dzvukamanja ended the season with eight goals and two assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.

He is currently Pirates' second best hope when it comes to scoring goal, next to DStv Premiership Players player of the Season, Monnapule Saleng.

Do I still believe he should leave Pirates?

Hell no!

With his contract set to expire at the end of June, I now believe Dzvukamanja should be one of the players Pirates should be looking to tie down for next season, and beyond maybe.

His contribution to their rise to a second spot finish in the league, and his Nedbank Cup final winning goal against Sekhukhune United has turned me into one of his converts.

Speaking to iDiski Times about his future, Dzvukamanja was coy in his response, giving nothing away.

"That one I don’t think I have a say and maybe if you can contact my agent and I think he can explain a little better than me because I was focusing on my job here," said Dzvukamanja. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/nedbank-cup-hero-dzvukamanja-comments-on-pirates-future/

"I still have a contract here."

Dzvukamanja, it seems, feels he has done his job, and now it is up to the club to do the right thing, something that he has no control over.

"I don’t know,"said Dzvukamanja.

"If they come, they will come. As I have said, that is from my agent to say ‘Terry, this is what is on the table’ and if it is something good or not good, I will take it from there."

However, with Pirates having qualified for the CAFCL, Dzvukamanja sounds keen to stay, and probably keep banging them in for the club in Africa's premier club competition.

"Every player wants to play for a big team and there is also CAF Champions League [for Pirates next season] and everyone wishes to play for this team."

Will he stay? Will he go? I think Riveiro would be crazy to let him go. 

Dzvukamanja has won Riveiro's heart.

Terrence Dzvukamanja has risen from the verge of obscurity and turned himself into a regular goalscorer for Orlando Pirates, leaving his coach, Jose Riveiro smitten with his exploits.

Dzvukamanja has scored seven goals in 17 appearances for Pirates across all competitions, with one assist added to his name.

His goal scoring form has seen other forwards like Kermit Erasmus spending more time on the bench.

Riveiro says Dzvukamanja is an exceptional, smart player who has shown that he can score goals.

"Terrence is an experienced player, he proved himself in many teams that he has the capacity to score. It was a difficult beginning of the season for Terrence in terms of minutes and liability also to be selected in the season," said Riveiro as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/orlando-pirates-coach-on-striker-terrence-dzvukamanja-s-purple-patch

"In a team like this with the competition that they have in that position, it's difficult to get the chance. Once he started to get that continuity to complete weeks, to train and be available for selection, he showed that he's an exceptional player.

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"He's a very smart player with a capacity to score goals like he showed in the recent games. We are all trying, not only myself to help every individual to perform their best and we would like to see Terrence scoring goals."