THE HUNT IS ON
Both Pirates and Wits coaches can start building momentum in the league with a win
WITH the first hurdle to feeding the soul, as Orlando Pirates coach Micho Sredojevic has described the Buccaneers’ season, botched by their elimination from the MTN8 at the weekend, the Serbian and his troops must begin again.
Pirates host Bidvest Wits at the same venue where they were knocked out of the campaign’s first domestic trophy, halting what they had earmarked as a stepping stone to even greater achievements.
Sredojevic found it difficult to put into the words his side’s strong showing at home against SuperSport United, having taken the lead, then come from a goal down, missed a penalty during extra time when the score was 2-2 only to fall short later as Matsatsantsa triumphed through the shootout lottery.
The coach arrived a little over a year ago and said his maiden season was all about “healing the soul” of the Ghost fans after the club had finished a lowly 11th place under various coaches in the campaign before.
Fans have had great belief that Pirates meant business this time around as Sredojevic and his technical staff look to now “feed the soul”.
Wits pose a serious threat to their redemption tomorrow night – the Clever Boys were in a rampant mood last week when they put Kaizer Chiefs to the sword in a 3-1 victory at FNB Stadium to send a message to their Absa Premiership title rivals.
The last time the two sides faced off the Buccaneers looked unstoppable in a match that was played behind closed doors last season.
Following a campaign they couldn’t wait to end, the Clever Boys hardly pitched up and were completely torn to shreds with Pirates beating them 4-0 in what looked more a training drill than a league match.
Wits are a different team now. Gavin Hunt, their four-times championship winning coach, has made drastic changes by signing 11 new players, going for power and pace upfront along with the experience of veterans like Vuyo Mere and Robyn Johannes in defence to shake things up.
Pirates have received some ridicule from a section of their supporters who are upset at seeing them miss an opportunity to win an early trophy. Perhaps a win over a resurgent Wits side will go a long way in proving that they are still on track to “feeding the soul”.