Bucs mentor hails AmaZulu

Orlando Pirates’ coach Milutin Sredojevic has praised the attacking approach of opposition AmaZulu coach Cavin Johnson in Saturday night’s visually appealing 1-1 Absa Premiership draw at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.

Augustine Mulenga put Bucs ahead in the 14th minute‚ AmaZulu striker Emiliano Tade equalising in the 49th.

Pirates dominated the first half‚ then the second was a toeto-toe slugfest of opportunities at either end.

Sredojevic’s only complaint was that his strikers had not been more clinical taking chances. Justin Shonga‚ especially‚ could have had a secondhalf hat-trick‚ including hitting the upright.

“First of all‚ for a good match you need to have two good opponents who come with an intention to play football‚” Sredojevic said in his post-match interview.

“Credit to coach Cavin Johnson and his team and to this wonderful atmosphere of the people who came here.

“My team had a very good first half where we did everything that we agreed on. And when you look at the difference between the first and second half‚ we absolutely controlled the game [in the first]‚ not allowing the opponent the ball.

“In the second half it was like two boxers dropping their guard and punching each other‚ chance for them‚ chance for us.

“This was a very good advertisement for the game. I think football of this kind invites people to come to the stadiums.

“In the end‚ I believe that even a draw we will accept and look forward to‚ during this Fifa break to prepare ourselves for the big derby.”

Pirates return from the coming Fifa international date with the Soweto derby‚ hosting Kaizer Chiefs in a Bucs home game at the FNB Stadium on Saturday‚ October 27.