Pirates’ chance for redemption
JONEVRET: PLAYERS KNOW THE FANS WILL RALLY ROUND
SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates didn’t have it easy on the way to meeting in the Nedbank Cup final for the second year in a row. The sides were met with some daunting tasks on the road, but it was all worth it. Phakaaathi’s Tshepo Ntsoelengoe looks at the road to the final for both sides.
The job is almost done, the dream of lifting the Nedbank Cup trophy is just 90 minutes away for Orlando Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret. In the last few months, Jonevret has witnessed his side grind out the results which have seen the club reach the final of the competition against SuperSport United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
“Now we have something to dream about,” said the coach following his team’s win over Golden Arrows in the semifinal.
“I am happy, and I believe the guys are also happy. We owe this to ourselves after having gone a barren season and to our beloved supporters, we worked very hard today and this is the result.”
In almost every interview after the game, Jonevret uttered the words “let’s continue dreaming” as the club’s form in the league was off the rails, and eventually saw them not make the cut for a top-eight finish for the first time in the Absa Premiership era.
The Buccaneers have really been poor this past season and now the Ke Yona Cup title should be something with which the players repay their loyal supporters, according to former Bafana Bafana and Pirates skipper Edward Motale, who was in the famous 1995 squad that lifted the Caf Champions League trophy.
“We can’t shy away from the fact the club has not been doing well, it is out there because they didn’t even finish the season on top-eight. It is a big concern for the club’s supporters; we all know that Pirates are a big team, a team that always challenges for trophies. But it has not been the case in the last two seasons,” said Motale.
“I think the players know how frustrated the fans are, but they know they will be rallying behind them on Saturday. What they need to do now is to repay the supporters by winning the Cup because they have been there for them despite their poor form.”
While Pirates have relied on playing friendly matches to prepare for what is arguably their most important game of the season, Matsatsantsa have been active in the Caf Confederations Cup, having played to a 2-2 draw with TP Mazembe earlier this month and they meet the same side in the second leg today.
Saturday’s final is vital for both sides as Pirates are looking for redemption after their poor season, while Bafana-bound Stuart Baxter is also looking to sign off on a high as United coach.