The excellent Moses Mabhida Stadium will host the Original Soweto derby on Saturday when Orlando Pirates take on Moroka Swallows in the MTN8 final.
Orlando Pirates are determined to be the last team standing when the final whistle blows to end what is expected to be an exciting final on Saturday between two teams with a rich history in South African football. The Bucs have not won any official trophy in 10 years, winning this one will bring back the happy faces in the Bucs supporters.
On the other hand, despite a poor start in their 2010/11 Absa Premiership campaign, the Dube birds are also hungry for some cup success and they will like nothing more than to beat Pirates and break the hearts of the pirates supporters. Swallows have made their intentions clear from the beginning of this competition by beating SuperSport United and Ajax CT in two closely fought contests.
Bucs coach Ruud Krol will have to make sure that his boys are over their win against Chiefs and focusing on the final. Pirates might shoot themselves in the foot by undermining the Dube Birds. What pirates must know is that Swallows are not going to Durban to lie down and play dead while Pirates runs all over them. Swallows are going to give the Bucs a fight and Pirates must be prepared.
Swallows are a sleeping giant and they are hoping to bring back the respect that they once commanded back in the good old days. Players like Siyabonga Nomvethe, rising star Keegan Ritchie, Gareth Ncaca and experienced goalkeeper Lucky Phillips will be carrying the hopes and dreams of the Dube Birds supporters. A win for them against Pirates will go a long way in returning their supporters back to the stadiums.
Orlando Pirates will be hoping that Andile Jali continues with his brilliant performances in midfield, together with his partner in crime, Isaac Chansa. Unlike Swallows, Pirates boosts a squad of quality and talented players — on Sunday, against Chiefs, it was the speedy Tlou Segolela, skilful Mark Mayambela and Katlego Mashigo who came on in the second half and added bite in the Bucs’ attack. The return of Mashego is an added bonus for Pirates and they will be hoping that he helps with their goal-scoring problems. If Pirates can focus and play their cards right, I don’t see why they can’t beat Moroka Swallows.
Wafa Wafa! Who will be the last team standing?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Ruud Krol is a man under pressure.
Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol is going to start the new season under a lot of pressure, not only from the fans, but from the management as well.
Ever since Krol joined the Bucs, the team has shown so much promise but they have failed to deliver the desired results. They are drifting in and out of form and that must be worrying. Pirates can play some breath-taking attacking and flowing football this weekend and play like complete amateurs the next.
Last season the team started well but the wheels came off when the pressure started to mount. Honestly speaking, Pirates did not have enough depth in their squad last season, upfront especially.
Things have changed though this time around. The Buccaneers have much more depth, especially in midfield and upfront. The signing of players like Mike Mayambela, a skillful youngster from Celtic, Daine klaite from Supersport united, Clifford Ngobeni From the Urban warriors, as well as strikers Ezenwa Otorogu From Nigeria and Chiukepo Msowoya a Malawian international means that Pirates will have a stronger team this season. Add to that list a player like Tlou Segolela and you will see what I mean.
A stronger squad is good news for Krol, it means he will not struggle for suitable replacements should his regulers get injured, but it also raises expectations from the supporters side. They have been patient enough but the trophy drought is becoming too much for them to stomuch. Orlando Pirates fans are not the most patient bunch, Krol will need to deliver the results or risk losing his job. The rumours in the media about pirates talking to some coaches are not a good sign for the Dutch mentor.
Hopefully things will change for the better for Pirates this season. The coach has the material he needs to do well and there will be no excuses, otherwise we might see a new coach at the Bucs sooner than we expect.
There might be a small matter of trying to get an almost new squad to play together well as a team in a short space of time though. If Krol can succeed to that, than all should be well at Pirates, maybe just than, his job will be safe.
Ever since Krol joined the Bucs, the team has shown so much promise but they have failed to deliver the desired results. They are drifting in and out of form and that must be worrying. Pirates can play some breath-taking attacking and flowing football this weekend and play like complete amateurs the next.
Last season the team started well but the wheels came off when the pressure started to mount. Honestly speaking, Pirates did not have enough depth in their squad last season, upfront especially.
Things have changed though this time around. The Buccaneers have much more depth, especially in midfield and upfront. The signing of players like Mike Mayambela, a skillful youngster from Celtic, Daine klaite from Supersport united, Clifford Ngobeni From the Urban warriors, as well as strikers Ezenwa Otorogu From Nigeria and Chiukepo Msowoya a Malawian international means that Pirates will have a stronger team this season. Add to that list a player like Tlou Segolela and you will see what I mean.
A stronger squad is good news for Krol, it means he will not struggle for suitable replacements should his regulers get injured, but it also raises expectations from the supporters side. They have been patient enough but the trophy drought is becoming too much for them to stomuch. Orlando Pirates fans are not the most patient bunch, Krol will need to deliver the results or risk losing his job. The rumours in the media about pirates talking to some coaches are not a good sign for the Dutch mentor.
Hopefully things will change for the better for Pirates this season. The coach has the material he needs to do well and there will be no excuses, otherwise we might see a new coach at the Bucs sooner than we expect.
There might be a small matter of trying to get an almost new squad to play together well as a team in a short space of time though. If Krol can succeed to that, than all should be well at Pirates, maybe just than, his job will be safe.
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