Pirates plan Sundowns demise
Orlando Pirates will look to topple Mamelodi Sundowns as they harbour hopes a Nedbank Cup semi-final spot.
The Buccaneers will have to produce a monumental performance to beat Sundowns in front of their home crowd at the Lucas Moripe Stadium tonight.
After a fairly lacklustre season, Pirates have managed to put together a number of wins in the Absa Premiership and have moved back up to sixth on the log. Their run in the Nedbank Cup has been far better and a two match winning streak leading into the game should boost confidence.
For coach Eric Tinkler, silverware this season would be the perfect end to his first year in charge of Pirates.
“I would like to finish my first season off as a head coach having a won a trophy, that is important. Also for the team and the players, after the disappointment we’ve had this season with the highs and lows, you would like to finish it off with a trophy,” Tinkler said.
“The added benefit is the fact that if we do (win the Nedbank Cup), we go back into Africa.”
Pirates star Thabo Rakhale sounded confident ahead of their knockout clash with Sundowns. Following their good form, which culminated in a 4-1 win over Golden Arrows this week, Rakhale said a title this season was the main objective.
“We are confident, we are getting our rhythm back, we’re starting to win games. We’re playing good football and we’re scoring goals. We want to go to the final and win this cup because we haven’t won anything this season. We want to appreciate the support our fans have been showing us and this is the only chance we have,” Rakhale said.
The Buccaneers would do well to get the ball to Tendai Ndoro today, as the Pirates striker has been playing some good football. He grabbed a brace against Arrows, and his coach was full of praise of his blossoming goal scorer.
“We know Tendai, give him a chance in front of goal and he’ll hurt you. That’s what he’s doing and we’re happy for him because we benefit from it. He knows there are a lot of areas in his game that need improvement. I think he was looking to play too quickly at time and lost possession but that is something he will get better at,” Tinkler said.
Meanwhile Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane is wary of the vein of form that Pirates have found.
“It won’t be easy. They’ve got their tails up, they’ve got fresh legs and they’re waiting and watching on TV – they’re rested and waiting for us. We have bruises, we are still licking our wounds here,” Mosimane said.
Sundowns and Pirates meet at 20h15 tonight.
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