Sowetan

Micho wants much more

Bucs coach insists team still far from a finished product

- By Tiyani wa ka Mabasa

Orlando Pirates coach Micho Sredojevic has insisted that his side is still work in progress, despite showing a big improvemen­t against Baroka at the weekend.

The Buccaneers beat Bakgaga 3-1 at Orlando Stadium to get off to a good start in the new year.

Luvuyo Memela netted a brace to go with an early goal from Musa Nyatama, while Mduduzi Mdantsane was on the scoresheet for the visitors.

This was by far a polished performanc­e by Pirates. For a team that has been struggling to connect passes in the final third in the first half of the season and toiling to score (they have 14 in 16 league games), their passing game was top notch across the field on Saturday.

Sredojevic had a balanced line-up even though Marshall Munetsi, a natural midfielder, was played in defence on his Bucs debut.

With wing backs Mthokozisi Dube and Innocent Maela back in the line after being laid off with injuries, Pirates looked dangerous attacking from both sides.

Sredojevic, though, was adamant that they are far from being a finished product, but was pleased with the win.

“We’ve had eight draws and out of those, we were supposed to win six [if the players took their chances],” admitted the Serbian.

“However, whatever was wrong we could not cry. We went into the [festive] break disappoint­ed, but we refreshed physically and mentally,” he said.

Pirates took their foot off the pedal in the second half and Sredojevic, reflecting on this specific point, will prefer to finish off the opponent.

“We are very far from what we are supposed to be, but a journey of 15 miles [games] to the end of the season has started with a good step,” Sredojevic added.

Pirates face a big challenge in their next match when they travel to Pretoria to play Mamelodi Sundowns.

 ?? / SYDNEY SESHIBEDI/GALLO IMAGES ?? Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.
/ SYDNEY SESHIBEDI/GALLO IMAGES Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.

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