Micho toasts Shonga
Coach stood by misfiring striker
Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has showered praise on Justin Shonga after the Zambian steered Bucs to the final of the Telkom Knockout on Saturday. Shonga delivered the match winner as Pirates dismissed limping Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the semifinals at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“Shonga and (Augustine) Mulenga are coming from the setback of their Zambian team failing for the second time to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations‚” said Sredojevic. “From such a setback, the best football answer is exactly what we were looking at… it is to bounce back... to win is the best possible way to bounce back. We are happy to have Shonga there and he’s working very hard,” he said. “Now I hope all those who attacked him after missing many chances and the penalty last time in the derby have seen what a good player he is. “When we’ve seen who our opponents are in the final‚ behind closed doors and away from everyone’s eyes… an invisible match will start between us and the team we will face in the final.”
‘‘ We are happy to have Shonga and he’s working very hard
In a match that was marked by a frantic pace‚ it was Pirates who took the lead in the 13th minute when Vincent Pule’s cross was met by Thembinkosi Lorch who smashed the ball into the net‚ leaving a bemused Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune with no chance.
Chiefs came back through Leonardo Castro’s goal five minutes later, but Shonga had the final say‚ giving Pirates the winner six minutes from time after he recovered from his missed bicycle-kick to beat Khune will a low shot. Despite having contested eight Knockout finals‚ Bucs have only won it once when they beat Wits 3-1 in Durban in 2011. Sredojevic said it was time the Buccaneers paid back their fans who have endured a barren spell of four years.