Bucs keen to keep Mobara
He’s important to us, says coach
Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic spoke with reverence about versatile Abbubaker Mobara in the wake of the reported negotiations for a swap deal with the player for Xola Mlambo of Bidvest Wits.
Mobara was the subject of transfer speculation in the current window as Gavin Hunt searched for a utility player.
Mobara put on a stellar performance for the Buccaneers in their 3-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend.
While clearly having been instructed not to speak about boardroom deals, Micho does not appear eager to lose his deputy skipper.
“Mobara is deputy captain in the team and he’s important for us,” Sredojevic said.
The Buccaneers snapped their five league game losing streak against Sundowns after goals from Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Mpho Makola and Luvuyo Memela.
They redeemed themselves at the scene of their humiliating 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Sundowns last season.
“It was so much pain with this badge and our supporters before entering the game to leave aside the style and look for effectiveness,” the Serb said.
“All the pain the supporters have felt throughout the last year ... and we really wanted to give ourselves something to be proud of.”
Based on current form and squad quality, Sundowns and Pirates appear to be the two top title contenders.
Micho aims to remain grounded after securing their first back-to-back wins of the season when they scored six.
“We are far from being title contenders, but being material ... yes. We will work very hard so that all the pain that has been with the supporters goes away.
“The results of the last two games have been a good injection of motivation. After almost 15 months Pirates have secured two consecutive wins with six goals. This will inject us with confidence.”
He also reserved praise for in-form winger Memela who scored three goals in the last two games.
“When someone plays the way Memela plays it would be a crime to stop him. He is unlucky not to get man-of-thematch.”
Polokwane City coach Bernard Molekwa has admitted to being worried about his defence ahead of the clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.
This has been a tough month for Rise and Shine.
City kicked off the year with a hard-fought 3-2 home win over log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
After that City met Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium at the weekend. It all started well when they took the lead through a rocket of a free kick by Walter Musona that Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune knew little about.
But they didn’t have a happy ending as Chiefs fought back to win 2-1 courtesy of goals from Pietermaritzburgborn youngsters Ryan Moon and Dumisani Zuma.
It doesn’t get easier for City. They next face the in-form Buccaneers at Orlando Stadium, with Micho Sredojevic’s men having scored six goals in their opening two matches of the year.
“We’ve conceded four goals in two games, which is not a good record,” Molekwa conceded after the defeat to Chiefs. “It’s a worrying factor and we are hoping to get one [defender during this transfer window] to stabilise at the back, but at the same time we still have to work with what we have.
“You must remember that defending doesn’t start with the defenders, but from up front. It’s work in progress. We believe that as much as we are worried we will work on it at training until we get it right.”
Molekwa and City will be buoyed by the fact that they haven’t lost to Pirates this season. The two sides drew 22 in the first round in Polokwane and Molekwa’s men then knocked out Pirates in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals via a penalty shootout at Orlando.