Bucs back where they belong

ORLANDO Pirates being back in the Caf Champions League should be “normal”‚ Buccaneers coach Milutin Sredojevic has said.

Pirates confirmed second place in the Absa Premiership‚ and kept their faint title hopes alive‚ with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Bidvest Wits at a closed-doors Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.

The result saw Bucs go to 52 points‚ with two matches remaining‚ four behind leaders Sundowns (56).

Pirates‚ who meet Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium today‚ have an unassailable nine-point lead over third-placed Maritzburg United‚ guaranteeing Bucs the second-positioned Champions League spot.

“I am happy that for the first time since 2012 we have qualified for the Champions League‚ where in 2013 we were in the final‚” Sredojevic said.

“But in the same moment I need to say that it is nothing special where we are. This jersey‚ this badge‚ this team‚ these millions of supporters‚ our club‚ and a club of this magnitude‚ deserve to be here.

“It is something that is normal for us. It was an abnormal season last year [where Bucs finished 2016-17 in 11th in the PSL‚ and trophyless].

“I want to give credit to our chairman [Irvin Khoza] and our management‚ that they have done a proper selection of the players.

“We are extremely happy as the technical team to work with players who are keeping the badge and jersey in their heart.

“I don’t know if in the face and body language you [the media] and the supporters are seeing it‚ but every player is giving 200%.

“No matter – players playing‚ coming off the bench‚ on the bench or off the bench – all look to contribute,” the coach added. —