Manyisa key for improving Bucs
CUP CLASH: JONEVRET PINS HIS HOPES ON MIDFIELDER
Semifinal spot up for grabs in Nedbank Cup showdown.
Orlando Pirates’ quest to change their fortunes following a disastrous start to the 2016/2017 season lies realistically in the Nedbank Cup, where the club has a chance to at least lift a trophy with the challenge for league honours way beyond their reach.
And now with the club having reached the quarterfinals of the competition at the Orlando Stadium this evening, they face a battling Bloemfontein Celtic side who are languishing in the relegation quagmire, and one would easily believe Pirates will ease through to the semifinals of the Ke Yona, especially with their recent form which has seen them record two wins and one draw in the last three games.
Celtic, meanwhile, have only managed to register one win, a draw and a loss in their last three games.
Bucs coach Kjell Jonevret has maintained that luck in the draw will probably see them clinch the trophy the club last won in 2014, and he reckons that doing well in the Nedbank Cup will pave a way for a good finish for the Buccaneers this season.
“Like I said, you need a little bit of luck in the draw. The cup could be our chance this season, so we should take this one,” said the Bucs coach.
Going into the game, skipper Oupa Manyisa will be vital for Jonevret’s team. The midfielder has been in scintillating form in the last couple of games and has scored three goals, with four assists to his name.
“I didn’t see so much of him before I arrived and everybody was talking about him being a bit down, out of shape and his form is not so good. But I think he has been a key player in the five to seven games I have been in charge.”
The last time the teams met was in a league encounter last December and Celtic went on to win 2-1.