Friends take back seat
HUNT, ERTUGRAL TO PIT THEIR WITS AGAINST EACH OTHER
If it is too early in the season to make supremely confident predictions about how Bidvest Wits or Orlando Pirates will fare, the early signs for these two ambitious sides are promising.
The Clever Boys and the Buccaneers will face off in an MTN8 quarterfinal at Milpark this evening, with both having shown themselves worthy in midweek of a place among the Absa Premiership favourites.
Wits were dominant in victory against Kaizer Chiefs, and even Gavin Hunt has admitted they have strength in depth this season missing in the last campaign. Pirates, meanwhile, comfortably overcame Golden Arrows after an improved second-half display, with Tendai Ndoro continuing his brilliant form in 2016.
In Pirates’ new coach Muhsin Ertugral and Hunt, you have two of the best and longest-serving coaches in the PSL, and a friendship that has developed over the years, but one that will be put aside temporarily for this evening’s clash.
“It is always difficult because Gavin is a friend of mine, I have great respect for him as a coach and a human being,” said Ertugral this week.
“We have come a long way together, and it is never easy to play against him. His teams are very organised, I watched them against Chiefs.”
Ertugral admitted to not knowing exactly what would happen in his first official game with Pirates and that what he did see has left him with reasons for optimism going into the new season.
“As much as we played very exciting football (against Arrows) – especially in the second half – you never know when the season starts, as a new coach, with a new technical team. There is uncertainty before you are really into your rhythm. It did make me very hopeful in terms of how the team presented itself. This (the Wits game) will be a very tough encounter for both sides.”
Hunt, meanwhile, was cautious over Wits’ current form heading into the Pirates game.
“You do prefer to play a league game first, it does give you a better feel, so it was important,” said Hunt.
“But I don’t know about form, I certainly wasn’t completely happy with our performance. I think we can improve in certain areas. It was about getting through the game and Saturday will be another test, it will be totally different.”
The game could come down to how both defences cope with very strong attacking depth in the two sides. Pirates have Ndoro and could start tonight with Thabiso Kutumela, who did well as a substitute against Arrows.
Wits have a completely newlook strike-force, with Gabadinho Mhango, Eleazar Rodgers and Cuthbert Malajila all brought in this season, while James Keene and Phakamani Mahlambi are recovering from long-term injuries and are not expected back for some time.
Also see Page 46