Orlando Pirates could use another proven goalscorer in attack, and Junior Dion might be the perfect solution upfront.
Orlando Pirates should make a move for Golden Arrows striker Junior Dion before the transfer window closes.
The Buccaneers may not be struggling for goals this season, but their strikers have not been finding the back of the net consistently enough.
In fact, Boitumelo Radiopane is currently the only Pirates striker to have scored this campaign, while Yanela Mbuthuma has drawn a blank in the five matches he has played.
That could become a problem as the season progresses, particularly with Pirates competing in the CAF Champions League. If they want to challenge on multiple fronts, they need a striker capable of turning tight games in their favour.
Last season already provided an indication that the Sea Robbers needed more quality in attack after Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa both failed to reach double figures.
The Ivorian-born striker has proven that he knows where the back of the net is.
Dion finished last season as the PSL’s top scorer with 15 goals and appears to have picked up where he left off. His consistency in front of goal makes him an attractive option for a Pirates side that could benefit from having a proven goalscorer leading the line.
Even more interesting is his record against Mamelodi Sundowns. Dion has scored in four consecutive matches against Masandawana, demonstrating his ability to perform against one of the country’s strongest teams.
That could be particularly valuable for Pirates, who are set to face Sundowns in the MTN8 final next month.
If the Buccaneers can secure Dion’s signature before the window closes, they would add a striker who has already demonstrated his ability to score important goals in the Premier Soccer League.
A move to Pirates could also benefit Dion. The 15-goal campaign has already put him on the radar, and joining one of the country’s biggest clubs could provide him with a bigger platform to attract interest from clubs overseas.
Signing Dion would create serious competition for places in the Pirates attack.
If he settles quickly and finds the goals expected of him, Makgopa could find his playing time significantly reduced. Radiopane and Mbuthuma would also have to compete for minutes, with the pair likely to be rotated during league fixtures.
Dion to Pirates could work. And given his goalscoring record, it could be a move the Buccaneers come to appreciate when the big games arrive.
