Orlando Pirates aim to go one better than arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs when they play host to Manchester United in the second Vodacom Challenge clash at the Kings Park Stadium on Tuesday night. Kick-off is at 8.10pm.
Amakhosi surprised their critics when they held the English Premiership 1-1 in the opening match at a packed Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
Bucs have a couple of incentives to do better than Chiefs. They are determined to avenge the 4-0 defeat the Red Devils inflicted on Pirates in the Challenge at the same venue two years ago and the players are keen to impress their new Dutch coach Rudi Krol.
Krol told his players after their training session at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday night to go out and enjoy the game. Krol, who captained Holland in an illustrious playing career, added that while it was important to do well against United, he was looking to the Soweto Derby against Chiefs at Port Elizabeth’s EPRU Stadium to assess where he stands with the quality and potential he has inherited.
The Derby winners earn the right to play United in the Challenge final at Loftus on Saturday (3.30pm).
”The big prize is playing United in the final,” said Krol.
Pirates spokesperson Mickey Modisane believes Bucs are on the mend after a poor 2007/08 season in which Pirates finished eighth in the Absa Premiership.
He said while Chiefs did well against United, he pointed out: ”United landed in Cape Town a day before the game. They did not look acclimatised or at their best. By Tuesday they will have had a few days to get used to conditions and will come out guns blazing against us.
”That’s good as I am of the opinion that Bucs can cause a major upset in Durban. This is going to be a whole new ball game. Chiefs set the standard and now Pirates have to raise that standard to a higher level.”
Tuesday’s match is heading for a sellout. About 2 000 grandstand tickets at R250 are still available, while the final at Loftus has been completey sold out. Fans have been warned not to arrive at the stadium without a ticket.
Krol has 29 players in his squad and is likely to mix and match after having his international players back at training after African Nations Cup duty last month. – Sapa