/ 12 April 2010

Last chance saloon for Krol

Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol, could be walking the plank if his side fail to get past Bloemfontein Celtic in the first round of the Nedbank Cup at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.

The former Dutch skipper, however, denied being under pressure to deliver the last trophy on offer this season, but was defensive when asked about how secure his job is after putting his players through a two hour training session at the Johannesburg Stadium on Monday.

When asked if this would be his last match with Pirates — should they lose to Celtic — Krol replied: “That is not up to me, ask Mr Khoza.

“I continue to do my best with the team and while everybody knows it is a challenge to coach Pirates, I love this type of challenge.”

Khoza hired Krol two years ago, but the success-driven club have not tasted any success under Krol, and the odds are that this could be the last chance saloon for Krol.

The Bucs coach’s biggest challenge this season has been to energise his strikers who scored a miserable 26 goals in 30 league matches and finished fifth, which is not good enough according to Bucs’ high standards.

After being pipped on goal difference for the Absa Premiership by SuperSport United for the league title last season, Bucs’ form has slumped.

But Krol stressed he was not worried about his job: “We have to focus on Celtic. They are not an easy side to beat, despite the fact we beat them in the Telkom Knockout.

“Cup competitions do not always favour the side that plays best on the day. Celtic beat us in this competition last season and I aim to prevent a repeat of that result.”

But to add to Krol’s worries he is still minus injured strikers Siphesihle Mthembu, Dennis Masina and attacking midfielder Isaac Chansa, while defender Rooi Mahamutsa is suspended after being sent off against Amakhosi.

Bucs skipper Lucky Lekgwathi, said his side needed more luck. “The ball has not been rolling for us this season. We owe it to the fans to win this cup and it is going to be a do or die game for us.”

The loser will have a long break until August when the new season will kicks off. — Sapa