SOCCER: Lungile Madywabe
ORLANDO PIRATES’ hopes of being the first team from South Africa to feature in the finals of the Africa Champions Cup will be determined by the next 180 minutes of competition — starting on Saturday against Express of Uganda at the FNB stadium and culminating in two weeks time in a return match in Uganda. That is if you rule out the possibility of extra time.
This is the first time since the Buccaneers started their campaign six months ago that they will play their first leg at home — which puts enormous pressure on them to make use of the home ground advantage.
So far they have shown that they have what it takes to book a place in the finals.
They drew an away game against BCC Lions of Nigeria, despite the reported bad treatment they received from their host. And recently they came back from a goal behind in Gabon against Mbilinga to beat them 3-0.
Pirates coach Joe Frickleton, who last week went on a spying mission to Zimbabwe, where his guests this Saturday were playing against the local Dynamos, thinks Express are a good side but they have their weaknessess. “But because they can speak English I am not revealing my possible strategy for the match,” he said.
He is also banking on the possibility that his players show the same courage they displayed against Mbilinga.
Pirates go into this game with midfielder Innocent Buthelezi, defender Gavin Lane and striker Jerry Skhosana as three doubtful starters. Buthelezi was kicked on the head on Sunday during their game against Bush Bucks in Umtata.
He has been ordered by the doctor not to train due to his eardrum bleeding.
Lane and Skhosana are both suffering from hamstring problems. Recounting his dilemma, Frickleton said “I hope they will all recover in time because any team reaching this stage of the competition cannot be taken lightly, therefore I need all my players.”
The players looked relaxed and full of confidence at their Megawatt training grounds this week, with Mark Fish saying they are going to win by more than two goals.
A statement supported by Brendon Silent who had started doing laps of the field ahead of the rest of his teammates.
While conceding that they have a hard game ahead, Frickleton sounded confident about their chances: “Look we have not really been playing badly, we are the only team that went this far in the competition and still we are on the run for the league honours. Kaizer Chiefs, and Sundowns were not as lucky as us, Cosmos paid a big price.”
Cosmos were relegated two years ago after reaching the semi-finals of the Cup winners competition.
Pirates’ efforts to go one better were boosted this week by the banquet held to honour them for being the first team to go this far in the competition.
Tlhalefang Sekano, speaking on behalf of Johannesburg mayor Isaac Mogase, said the dinner was held because “since the establishment of the city no team from a disadvatage d background was ever honoured for its achievements, therefore it is proper that we recognise their feat.”
The success of Pirates relies on whether the South African public will repeat the support they gave the team against Mbilinga.