Orlando Pirates hungry for win
ORLANDO Pirates defender Patrick Phungwayo has emphasised the importance of winning against Polokwane City today to boost the team’s confidence before their Al Ahly clash.
ORLANDO Pirates defender Patrick Phungwayo has emphasised the importance of winning against Polokwane City today to boost the team’s confidence before the weekend’s CAF Confederation Cup clash with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
The Buccaneers have not won a match since August 22, when they beat AC Leopards to qualify for the Confederation Cup semifinal, and they are desperate for a win, not only to boost confidence, but to move up the Premiership table.
They are away to Polokwane City at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium tonight (7.30pm), needing a win after the 1-1 draw against Mpumalanga Black Aces at Orlando Stadium on Friday.
Pirates have just the one league victory from their four matches and are in ninth place on four points.
“We want to win the game against City because a team like Pirates does not deserve to be down there. We want to win so that we can move into the top eight,” Phungwayo said yesterday. “If we win we will be highly motivated for the game against Al Ahly. We need to start winning our domestic matches. We want to show we are still a big team in our country.”
The attack-minded City side will certainly make life difficult for a vulnerable Buccaneers defence that has not kept a clean sheet this season.
There’s been a lot of chopping and changing in the Pirates defence because of injuries and suspensions, but Phungwayo says players should also take some of the blame for the goals they are leaking.
“The stability (in defence) is not there. But the coach is doing everything he can. Sometimes we disappoint him. But we are working hard on the defence and we need to rectify our mistakes. We know coach (Kosta) Papic because he has coached Pirates. For him it’s always about proving a point,” Phungwayo said.
“We want to accumulate as many points as possible before the December break.”
City defender Thapelo Tshilo said: “We are preparing very well and we will be ready for them. We can’t underestimate them because of their results. They can attack very well and we need to be careful.”