Orlando Pirates’ new coach Rudi Krol could not have asked for a tougher baptism of fire than the first two matches in the Vodacom Challenge next week.
Bucs play Manchester United at Durban’s Kings Park Stadium on July 22 and two nights later meet arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs at the EPRU Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Both matches kick-off at 8.10pm.
The winner of the Soweto Derby earns the right to play Manchester United in the final at Loftus on July 26.
Amakhosi get the first crack at United when they tackle Alex Ferguson’s team at Newlands in Cape Town on July 19.
Former Dutch star Krol replaced Own da Gama in the off-season with the job of rebuilding the team. Bucs last tasted glory when they won the PSL championship in the 2002/03 season.
While Bucs are out to redeem their pride against arguably the best club side in world after a humiliating 4-0 thrashing by the Reds two years ago at the same venue, beating Chiefs is also a priority for Krol.
Pirates were outplayed by United at Kings Park two years ago. To rub salt into the wound, Chiefs beat both Bucs and United to lift the trophy that year.
Bucs spokesperson Mickey Modisane said: ”That 4-0 defeat still hurts. We can promise our fans there will be a new look Pirates against both Manchester United and Chiefs this time. We were a bit overawed and were not ready when we lost in 2006. We did not have enough time to prepare after the holiday. The new coach is getting down to serious work and we are confident we will put up a much improved show against United.”
The match against Chiefs will show Krol how far he has progressed with his new players. After a disappointing season in which Pirates finished eighth in the Absa Premiership, fans and club management expect nothing less that success this season.
Said Modisane: ”It all starts with the Challenge. If we beat Chiefs next Thursday it would help build a platform to launch our challenge for a major trophy during the new season. ”
Bucs beat Chiefs in last year’s Challenge decider only to be thumped 4-0 by a rampant Tottenham Hotspur in the final, also played at Loftus.
Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Moeneeb Josephs, signed from BidVest Wits, also faces a tough baptism against United’s class striker Wayne Rooney.
The English international is expected to lead the United attack. Another newcomer, Bafana defender Benson Mhlongo signed from Mamelodi Sundowns, is likely to be given the role of marking Rooney, rated as one of the best players in the world. – Sapa