Jonevret welcomes Bucs break
Tiyani Mabunda says Mamelodi Sundowns need to get back to winning ways in order for them to reclaim what he calls their “rightful position” at the top of the Absa Premiership.
Sundowns host Polokwane City tonight at Loftus Versfeld, having dropped five points in their last two games – they are currently in fifth place, five points behind leaders Bidvest Wits, though they have three games in hand on the Clever Boys and even more in hand on the other sides above them in the table.
“Every game from now on will be a big game. Everybody will want to beat us. There are no easy games for us at the moment because we are playing catchup. The technical team and the coaches have to manage how we go through these games and make sure we continue to do well because we have a lot of outstanding games,” Mabunda told Phakaaathi yesterday.
“I believe today’s game is going to put us up there where we belong, because we have dropped a couple of points in the last few games. I think it is time that we take our rightful position at the top,” he added.
Mabunda took a knock to his shoulder during Sundowns’ 2-1 win over Kampala Capital City Authority in the Caf Champions League on Friday evening, but he is hopeful of making the squad tonight.
“Just like last time, I have to go for a late examination to see whether I will be able to play. The doctor gave me the go-ahead to train.”
The 28-year-old has been rewarded for his stellar performances with his second Bafana Bafana call-up. His first was back in November last year when he was brought in as a replacement for Dean Furman who had suffered an injury. This time his name was on the original 25man list announced by caretaker coach Owen da Gama.
“To be called up is always great for me, regardless of whether I am called up during the announcement or called up later. I will always be grateful to once again represent the country. For me, all I have to do is continue to showcase the talent that God has given me the best way I can. I am always ready to play whenever I am called upon,” added Mabunda. Following his first victory as Orlando Pirates coach, after beating ABC Motsepe League side EC Bees 3-1 in the Nedbank Cup last-32 on Sunday, Kjell Jonevret (below) says he will now focus on building a better understanding between himself and his squad.
The Swedish coach has three weeks to work with most of his squad, thanks to the international break, before returning to action with an Absa Premiership clash at Free State Stars at the James Motlatsi Stadium on April 1.
“I’m very happy we won this one and this could help us. Now we have three weeks to train ... we have to wait until the beginning of April for another league game,” said the Bucs coach.
“We are still trying to understand each other.”
The Pirates mentor was happy with the performance of his players on Sunday and hopes the win will ignite some confidence following a string of poor results, which saw the Buccaneers go 12 games in a row without a win in all competitions.
“They were good and had a lot of energy, we had some problems with our passing game and we lost a lot of balls. This team have a lot of talented players, but right now they are a lot less confident,” he added.
“I think we had good control of the first half, most of the time and there were chances. But after we had scored the second one (goal), I mean that goal by EC Bees should have been be dealt with by us. We should never have allowed them to get that one, but you saw what happened, we gave them a goal. After that, they got a lot of energy, but in the end I am very happy we won this one.”