/ 13 January 2010

Pirates confident of turn-around

Write off Orlando Pirates’ title chances at your peril.

That was the stern warning on Wednesday from Bucs spokesman Mickey Modisane, as the Buccaneers prepare for the final lap of six matches in the Absa Premiership which resumes on February 3 after a five week break.

Bucs’ title hopes looked dead and buried after a couple of below par performances that saw them finish 2009 in fifth place — 10 points behind leaders and defending champions SuperSport United.

It will be last chance saloon for their title hopes when they reopen their league programme against SuperSport at Orlando Stadium on February 3.

But Modisane said Bucs will not be throwing in the towel. They see the clash against SuperSport as a make or break game and their last chance to get back into contentions for the title race.

Said Modisane: “Nothing is impossible, but the match against SuperSport will be bigger than a cup final for us.

“It is a must win game if we hope to keep our title hopes alive. In fact, we have to basically win all our remaining six games.

“But it is vital we collect maximum points from the three home matches, starting with SuperSport, the AmaZulu game on February 10 and the Soweto Derby against arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs on February 23.

“We cannot afford any slip ups at home.”

Bucs’ away matches are against Bloemfontein Celtic, Maritzburg United and BidVest Wits.

Coach Ruud Krol finds himself under pressure to deliver the trophy. He was mandated to win silverware by the end of his two year contract and failure to do so could so could see the former Dutch captain being shown by the door.

But Modisane refused to comment on his coach other than to disclose Krol has been working frantically behind closed doors sorting out key problem areas, the biggest of which is trying to teach his goal shy strikers how to find the back of the net.

Pirates have scored only 22 goals in 24 matches which is not even a goal a game and not good enough for a team that hopes to challenge for honours.

“We have lined up a number of top friendly matches, also behind closed doors, and hopefully the problem with the strikers will be sorted out when we face SuperSport,” said Modisane.

But Bucs have another big priority in 2010 and that is to qualify for the quarterfinal group stages of the African Champions League.

Bucs open their Champions League campaign against Botswana champions Gaborone United in the Botswana capital in the first round, first leg on February 14, and play the return leg at their Orlando Stadium stronghold on February 28.

They won the Champions League in its previous guise as the Africa Cup in 1995 and Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza is keen to revive those glory days.

Pirates are the only team from the southern Africa region to have been crowned club champions of Africa.

“Getting to the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League is our first goal in Africa.

“We will not be complacent against Gaborone United, but it is crucial we get through the knockout rounds and make sure we qualify for the quarterfinals,” concluded Modisane. — Sapa