SuperSport United assistant coach Andre Arendse has warned Christian Saile will score a lot more goals for the club after regaining his confidence.
Saile, 25, has scored three goals for SuperSport since joining the club on loan from Chiefs in the deal that saw Tashreeq Morris go in the opposite direction.
He’s looked like a renewed figure under the management of Gavin Hunt, playing more as a left side winger with less defensive responsibility or instructions to track back.
His energy and celebrations also tell a story of releasing frustration after being highly criticised by supporters since his arrival in South Africa from Nchanga Rangers in Zambia.
“There is a lot of quality in Christian, a lot of quality,” said Arendse, who was doing media duties ahead of his side’s Nedbank Cup clash with Orlando Pirates for the suspended Hunt.
“And we needed to find the quality when he first came. So we had to have a look at him in different positions to see where he is most comfortable, where he is best-suited.
“If you saw the game against Kaizer Chiefs, he did some really good win-play, and you’ll have seen the goal he scored there where he joined in from wider areas, exposing the defence at times.
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“That’s where he is at his best, he’s a very strong player, he’s got good hold-up play, he can hold people off. And he’s got an eye for goal.
“What we’ve discovered is that he bounces of confidence, and if you show belief in a player like that he’s ready and willing to give you his all.
“He’s going through a little but of an up-and-down performance-wise at the moment, the job that we have a ahead of us is to get him into a consistent mode.
“Once we do that, I think he’s a striker that is going to fire on all cylinders. And I think if he continues like that, with a good attitude, a good mindset, a positive one, than I think he’s got way more goals to come by the end of the season.”
