Ex-Orlando Pirates defender Ronnie Zondi rues the Buccaneers’ inconsistency, suggesting that the players need to ‘man up’.

The Buccaneers’ performance in the Premier Soccer League has been inconsistent, currently holding the ninth position with 16 points from 11 games played.

Despite securing the MTN8 title, Pirates have struggled to match the pace of the title contenders, putting them in a battle to maintain their standing within the top half of the log.

Former defender Zondi has now criticised the team’s players, indicating that they must step up their game.

“The results have not been very good for the team. I don’t think we have been playing very well together. Yes, there are other individuals who have been working very hard for the team and you can see their efforts rewarding the team,” Zondi expressed in an interview with Soccer Laduma.

“But now it’s time for the players to hold each other. They should play as a team and grind results as a team. We know what the coach is capable of doing and now it’s up to the players to show what they are capable of doing on the field of play.”

Zondi went on to further explain that the players should be taking responsibility for what happens on the field.

“There have been games where we have either drawn or lost which we could have won and it’s the responsibility of the players to do that because they are the ones on the field of play,” he added.

“The coach can give instructions and at times they don’t work and that’s when players use their knowledge on the field and make sure they do things which will help the team.

“That’s what we need as a team now. Players can improvise on the field of play and come up with ideas which will help the team. That’s how we used to play as Orlando Pirates and the current players should start doing that to win games for the team.”

Keen to secure points, Pirates will face Moroka Swallows in a league fixture on Tuesday, December 5.

Later in the week, they are set to compete against TS Galaxy on Saturday, December 9.