Buccaneers set for a mission of redemption
Orlando Pirates will have no time to lick their wounds after their Telkom Knockout final defeat to Baroka on Saturday as they make the difficult journey to Bethlehem to meet Free State Stars in the Absa Premiership on Tuesday.
Pirates were beaten on penalties in what will have been an exhausting decider‚ both physically and mentally‚ for their side as their five-year barren run without a trophy continues.
It was also a fifth cup final defeat in a row for the Buccaneers‚ adding to their disappointment‚ but there will be little time to dwell on defeat as the league leaders get straight back into action.
“We are moving on and we already have a match against Free State Stars in the league on Tuesday and that serves as a bridge for our Champions League match on Saturday‚” Pirates coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic said in the wake of their final loss.
“We need to pick up the pieces and it’s unfortunate‚ but my players played like lions in a human shape and gave everything on the field of play.
“Football didn’t pay us back‚ but I strongly believe and knowing our supporters‚ that they would recognise the effort.”
Pirates sit top of the Premiership with 24 points from their 14 games‚ but there is a chasing pack snapping at their heels that have multiple games in hand.
It means Pirates can no longer afford slip-ups if they are to mount a serious title challenge this season‚ despite their lofty position‚ as they come up against a Stars side that have won only three of their 14 league games this campaign‚ but have gathered 11 of their 13 points at home.
Bethlehem has also been no happy hunting ground for the Buccaneers‚ who last tasted success there in the league almost eight years ago in January 2011 when Tlou Segolela and Andile Jali were on target in a 2-0 win.
Since then they have drawn three and lost four of their seven away trips in the league to Stars.
Also on the mind of coach “Micho” Sredojevic will be the African Champions League home clash with African Stars at the weekend‚ though it is another fixture where he could arguably play fringe players with the Namibian side unlikely to trouble Pirates over two legs.
Stars will play a first league game under caretaker coaches David Vilakazi and Sly Mosala‚ and are in desperate need of a lift having already played 14 games this season‚ two more than their rivals for the drop and three more than Maritzburg United‚ who are also in the relegation mix.