BUCS’ SAVIOUR?
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New Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic exuded confidence yesterday as he spoke of getting Bucs back to their best. The Serb said he had learnt a lot since leaving Pirates after his first spell in charge in January 2007, and that he hadbeen keeping tabs on what has been happening at the Soweto giants.
Sredojevic will immediately have to name a new club captain, however, after chairman Irvin Khoza revealed yesterday that long-serving midfielder Oupa Manyisa was joining Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sredojevic was unveiled at Orlando Stadium just a day after the resignation of Kjell Jonevret. He goes into his second spell with the club having had a short stint with Pirates for just over half of the 2006/7 season. He returns with an embellished CV that has seen him win a number of trophies in continental club football and more recently, helping the Ugandan national team to a first Africa Cup of Nations finals in 38 years.
“Under my belt are league trophies in three different countries in five years, two semifinals of Confederation Cup and Champions League, (coaching) the national team of Rwanda and Uganda, twice competing in the Chan competition and once qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations,” the new Pirates coach said.
“Micho” went on to reveal that he was persuaded to return to Pirates after a phone call from chairman Irvin Khoza and that he would work very hard to change the fortunes of the club.
“I received a call that was very hard to resist, looking at the magnitude of this club and the charisma of chairman Irvin Khoza, I want to call him my football father, and it is impossible not to accept. I want to put my stamp on this club with the all the experience and the journey I have had across Africa.
“I want to put smiles on the faces of the supporters of this great club.”
“Together with the technical team, we will do everything possible to change the fortunes of the club to take it where it belongs – among the best.”
Khoza made a surprising announcement when he revealed Manyisa was leaving the club to join Mamelodi Sundowns. Khoza added that they were negotiating a swap deal with the Brazilians. Khoza hinted that it could be a striker heading to Pirates.
“We had a serious discussion with Patrice Motsepe in the last three days, it was not an easy decision,” said Khoza.