Qalinge hopes Micho will be lucky charm
Bucs ace ready for Ajax tonight
Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Qalinge hopes he will not have to wait for a “lucky number seven” coaching change at the Buccaneers for him to taste silverware.
Since his arrival at Pirates in July 2014, Qalinge has seen coaches come and go, with Serbian Milutin Sredojevic the sixth mentor he has worked under.
He seems to be enjoying a new lease of life at Pirates since the beginning of the season under Sredojevic, however, having started the two first league games and scored once.
His change in fortunes is also mirrored by the club’s, with their performances in the 1-0 win over Chippa United and 1-1 draw with Baroka in the Absa Premiership giving the Bucs faithful something to smile about. Bucs will aim to continue the upward trend in the league clash against Ajax Cape Town at Orlando Stadium tonight (7.30pm).
The twinkle-toed 26-yearold has worked with Vladimir Vermezovic, Eric Tinkler, Muhsin Ertugral, Augusto Palacios, Kjell Jonevret and now the man affectionately known as Micho.
Perhaps Micho simply likes the creativity Qalinge brings, but the skilful attacker insists he has done nothing different in training from the previous coaches.
“There was no point to prove. I have been doing the same with the previous coaches, which is to show effort.”
It has been three barren seasons for the Sea Robbers and Qalinge has struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting XI under the previous coaches.