Puso Dithejane is enjoying a purple patch in front of goal, and the South African sensation is revealing just how much he is learning from one of football’s greatest strikers.
Dithejane has been among the standout performers for Chicago Fire in recent weeks, with his finishing and movement coming to the fore as the MLS side continue their impressive run.
And there is no shortage of inspiration around him. The arrival of Robert Lewandowski from Barcelona has given Chicago an elite goalscorer to learn from. The Polish striker, who joined the Fire in June, arrived with more than 700 goals for club and country and IS one of the most decorated players in modern football.
Dithejane is one of the Fire’s biggest beneficiaries from the arrival of a player he describes as a “legend,” taking in some invaluable lessons.
The former TS Galaxy attacker has taken his game to another level of late, scoring twice against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup before finding the net again against Orlando City. His first goal came within four minutes as Chicago secured a 2-1 victory on Thursday morning.
It is a run of form that has placed the 22-year-old firmly in the spotlight, and Dithejane believes Lewandowski’s influence has played a part.
Speaking after the Orlando victory, he explained that the veteran striker has been working with him on some of the fine details that separate good forwards from elite goalscorers.
“For me, he (Lewandowski) has been helping me with finishing, getting into the right spaces and telling me how to relax in the box,” said Dithejane.
For a young forward, those lessons are priceless. Lewandowski has spent his career mastering the art of finding space, remaining composed under pressure, and making the right movement at exactly the right moment. His record speaks for itself, and his arrival in Chicago was billed by the Fire as a move designed not only to strengthen the team but also to raise standards throughout the club.
Dithejane appears to be taking full advantage.
“That’s how we learn from legends,” he added.
And while Lewandowski’s influence is being felt on the training ground, Dithejane’s recent performances suggest the lessons are beginning to translate onto the pitch.
Read: Chicago Fire secure signing of TS Galaxy’s Puso Dithejane
His two-goal display against Cruz Azul was particularly emphatic. He struck in the 67th minute before producing a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send Chicago through with a 2-1 victory.
Then came Orlando, where he opened the scoring in the fourth minute as the Fire continued their winning momentum.
The goals are only part of the bigger picture for the Kaizer Chiefs graduate who will be eager to break into the Bafana Bafana team once a new coach is announced by the South African Football Association (SAFA).