Such has been the competitive nature of the Absa Premiership season that any one of 10 teams could be crowned champions in May.
That was the opinion of BidVest Wits coach Roger de Sa, whose Students welcome rejuvenated Orlando Pirates to their Milpark stronghold in what promises to be a spicy Johannesburg derby on Wednesday night. Kick-off is at 8pm.
Wits returned from Cape Town at the weekend a point richer after a 1-1 draw against Santos, while Bucs have collected six points from their last two matches played at the Johannesburg Stadium last week. Bucs defeated Maritzburg United 2-1 last Wednesday and followed that up with a tough 1-0 win over high-flying Golden Arrows on Saturday night.
Said De Sa: ”When we drew 0-0 with Pirates in the first round at Ellis Park I sensed they were turning the corner after they had struggled to get results early in the season. And I believe I was right. Pirates are now third in the table and one of the favourites to lift the title.”
De Sa said while he has tremendous respect for Pirates and the job coach Ruud Krol is doing, he believes his Students could upset Bucs’ title ambitions.
”Pirates are getting back to their best under Krol. They are more disciplined, better structured and organised. But we know what it would mean to us to beat them at home. And we will be ready for them.”
The Clever Boys have a good record against Bucs, having taken four points off them last season, and De Sa aims to repeat that by picking up three valuable home points on Wednesday.
Pirates fans will play their part by packing the 6 000-capacity Milpark stadium to the rafters. Despite being outnumbered in the stands by Pirates supporters, De Sa said that would motivate his players.
De Sa said he was happy with his side’s fighting spirit on a poor quality pitch at the Athlone Stadium last Friday, where Wits fought back to snatch a last-gasp equaliser. ”The pitch was really bad. But we stuck to our task and to me that was a tremendous point. My lads know the title race is wide open and they want to be in there fighting when the season heads into the final straight.”
But the win was an expensive one as their defensive strongman, Neil Winstanley, picked up a third yellow card and will miss the clash against Bucs through suspension.
Wits goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro returned to training on Monday after missing the last three weeks with a groin injury, but the Zimbabwean international will have to fight to get his place back. Promising 18-year-old keeper Darren Keet has been in top form and grabbed his chance.
De Sa, a former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and national goalkeeping coach, said: ”Keet has been a revelation. I have been very happy with his form. But I will have a look at Energy and make a late decision on whether to change keepers or not.”
De Sa studied the DVD of Bucs’ win over Arrows, but he will have not had any sleepless nights. Bucs were not convincing and will have to learn to pass the ball and get more shots on target if they are to leave Milpark with three more points.
Krol, a former Dutch skipper, said after the Arrows clash he was happy watching a high-quality match. He must have been watching another game — neither his side nor Arrows got out of first gear in a dull sloppy 90 minutes. — Sapa