Wow, will the excitement never end – another Pirates Chiefs vs Derby!
I’ve hardly gotten over the felling or irritation at the Buccaneers dismal failure in the penalty shootout arena – I mean I’ve seen kids kicking a tennis ball around in Cleremont who could shoot better than that. And I just don’t buy Coach Ruud Krol’s “well it was stress – they shoot perfectly in practice” defence either. These guys are professionals, earning a living playing soccer – they are supposed to be able to perform under stress.
Anyway, now my rant is over and my hope is on the Buccaneers once a gain to pull it off
No Friendly between Amakhosi and the Buccaneers
Kaizer Chiefs new coach Vladimir Vermezovic, has quickly learnt there is no such thing as a soccer friendly between Amakhosi and Orlando Pirates.Yesterday he emphasised he would field his strongest team against Buccaneers in the second Telkom Charity Cup semi-final at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium today.
The former Partizan Belgrade defender and coach was last week had a baptism of fire into the intense rivalry between the two clubs and he now has some idea how important it is to win a Soweto Derby.
According to Sports Chirp Vermezovich said:
“We want to play in the final. We are ready despite a couple of worrying injuries and I will start with what is my strongest side and if we make the final, which I hope we do, then I will decide the plan for the final.
“It is tough playing two full games in one afternoon. There is not much time for the winner to rest after the games as the final kicks off at 5pm, but will be ready as we played in a similar tournament (Premier’s Cup in PE) in an earlier pre-season tournament, so I have an idea of what to expect.”
The Kaizer Chiefs coach said he would use a rotation policy this season as he has 27 players who will all get a chance with the rotation policy.
Bafana Bafana Stars
Although Orlando Pirates Coach Ruud Krol is playing it cool, saying he is actually more focused on next Wednesday night’s MTN8 quarter-final clash against Ajax Cape Town at Ellis Park, he must be hurting seriously after the defeat in Port Elizabeth and wants to set the record straight, so he is sure to be rolling out his big guns in the form of his four Bafana Bafana stars, midfielders Teko Modise, Benson Mhlongo, striker Katlego Mashego and defender Innocent Mdledle.
They started pre-season training later than the rest of the squad due to the fact they helped Bafana Bafana finish fourth in the Confederation Cup last month.
Orlando Pirates' Frank Olivier
Orlando Pirates new signee Frank Olivier, the Cameroonian international, who made his debut in the 2-0 win against Manchester City last month says on the Bucs website:
“Games against Chiefs always have a special significance, hence there’s no way we can take it lightly. We are looking forward to the match with great anticipation and nothing less than a victory will make us happy…besides, we owe it to our supporters,” he added.
Krol has a talented squad and also has the option of throwing in his two new strikers- former Chiefs star Gert Schalkwyk and Dennis Masina, who he signed from Supersport United for their debuts.
My Prediction
My personal prediction – besides the disastrous penalty shootout, Orlando Pirates looked stronger in Port Elizabeth, and looking at the squad, I’d say they are going to run out a stronger team on the day – Up the Buccaneers!
Sundowns vs Platinum All Stars
The other Semi-final between Sundowns v Platinum Stars – kick off 10:00
The final will kick off at 5 pm.
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