Sibisi: Defends strike rate

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Sibisi: The goals will come

Diyo Sibisi has brushed aside claims Maritzburg United’s struggles this season are down solely to the inability of the club’s strike department.

Sibisi & Co have managed just 16 goals in their opening 17 Premiership matches this season, including exactly zero in 2012, leaving the Team of Choice well off the pace of a top-eight finish.

However, frontman Sibisi - joint fourth top scorer in the league so far this term with six - believes inspired performances from opposition goalkeepers, coupled with some bad luck, have resulted in the team’s woes up front this campaign.

“I don’t think there are any problems with the strikers,” Sibisi told the official PSL website.

“I feel we’re improving each time and it’s unfair to say there is an issue in the striking department.”

Sibisi considered United unfortunate to go down 2-0 to Ajax Cape Town in their most recent outing on Sunday, adding: “Over the weekend, the goalkeeper made some stunning saves. We had a lot of chances, but he kept blocking. It was one of those days.”

Sibisi, though, is convinced United are still very much in with a shout for a top-eight finish this season, saying: “We were looking for the top eight from the outset and that is still on.

“If you look at the log, it is clear that we are just two wins away from being right up there. We’re confident it will happen.”