It took a quiet pep talk by Orlando Pirates chairperson Irvin Khoza to get star player Teko Modise back to focusing on the business at hand.
Khoza took his priceless midfield playmaker one side before Bucs played arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs two weeks ago and explained what is expected of him. Modise listened and has shone for both club and country since.
He helped Bucs glide past Amakhosi 2-0 in the Soweto derby, then played a blinder in scoring twice to steer Bafana Bafana to a stunning 3-2 win over highly rated Cameroon in the Nelson Mandela Challenge in Rustenburg last Wednesday. Modise then turned in one of his best displays in a Pirates shirt to score twice and demolish Thanda Royal Zulu 4-2 at the re-opening of the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
Bucs fans are hoping Modise weaves his magic once again when high-riding Pirates face troubled Mamelodi Sundowns in a crunch Absa Premiership clash at the Super Stadium on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
Said Bucs spokesperson Mickey Modisane: ”The chairperson showed that despite his various duties, he still has time to look after his players. He told Teko soccer is a team game and when the team is succeeding so is Teko. The talk worked wonders and now Teko looks to be on a different planet.”
And it is the skilful Modise who must be giving new Sundowns coach Henry Michel sleepless nights. Michel, who replaced Trott Moloto for a monthly salary reported to be about R760 000, knows this is crunch time.
He has one win and a draw to show from his two matches in charge and he will feel the heat from Downs’ impatient owner, Patrice Motsepe, if he does not start producing the goods.
A 2-0 win over Thanda at home and an away 1-1 draw against lowly Free State Stars is a slow start for the for the former Tunisia, Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire national coach. But Michel realises this is his big test against the in-form Buccaneers. A win over Pirates would help turn around Sundowns’ disappointing start to the league campaign.
But with Modise, Dikgang Mabalane and fellow midfielder Thulasizwe Mbuyane in such attacking form, Michel can brace himself for a real onslaught from a side that is slowly but surely reaching their potential.
Khoza’s faith in his new coach Ruud Krol has started paying dividends. It took the no-nonsense Krol a while to get his message across, but now that he has, Bucs look almost unstoppable.
But, said the former Dutch skipper: ”I am happy with the progress but there is still a lot of room for improvement. We can play a lot better.”
Krol’s key is consistency and he does not believe in chopping and changing the starting line-up. This policy is paying handsomely.
But Modisane reckons that with a new coach at the helm, Downs will be an even tougher nut to crack. ”The players have a point to prove to the new coach while the new coach will be keen to do well in order to win credibility with the Downs supporters. It adds up to a potentially exciting clash.”
Modisane is also appealing to Bucs fans to turn out in force as they did against Thanda and pack the Super Stadium. ”The support against Thanda was a major help and we need that support again at the Super Stadium.”
Tickets are on sale at all Computicket outlets costing R20 for adults.
Chiefs return to the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night when they host unbeaten log leaders Golden Arrows. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
Bloemfontein Celtic face a tough home clash against defending champions SuperSport United at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Kick-off is at 3.30pm. — Sapa