Football will win – Micho
MICHO Sredojevic (pictured) is confident that football will be the winner when his Orlando Pirates team play Chippa United in tonight’s Absa Premiership clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Such remarks are expected though, considering the amount of business that has been concluded between the two parties of late.
During pre-season, Paseka
Mako, Linda Mntambo and Abel Mabaso made the switch to Johannesburg while Thamsanqa Sangweni moved to Port Elizabeth and then deals to have Thabo Matlaba and Bernard Morrison join the Chilli Boys didn’t materialise.
“I believe that whoever comes to Nelson Monday Bay Stadium will enjoy good football,” Sredojevic said.
“I think it is always easier to play against a team that plays the ball on the ground instead of long ball that involves a lot of throw-ins. Against Chippa United we will have an open game, knowing the mindset of the coach (Dan Malesela) and the game-model they play. Football will be the winner.’’
With Micho’s football preference being an on-the-ground ball game, it was a bit confusing when there was a massive number of new wingers during the off-season Mako, Mabaso, Kudakwashe Mahachi and Vincent Pule while they already had Thembinkosi Lorch, Thabo Qalinge and Luvuyo Memela.
Sredojevic was asked what use they will be if he doesn’t prefer the long ball tactics and he explained it simply.
“All our attacking midfield players have an initial role of being the first line of defence. This pushes the opponent to play long passes. From that, we get an advantage and then build up from Happy Jele, Gladwin Shitolo, Xola Mlambo and Musa Nyatama.
“Then after that their important role is to help us in attack, either they open wide or cut in to position number 10”’
Meanwhile, the signing of goalkeeper coach Andrew Sparkes from English side Swansea City’s youth structures was well received by the Buccaneers considering that they didn’t have a regular No 1 last term.
But clearly, the Sea Robbers will do all it takes to steer their ship to top honours this season as evidenced by their going as far as France to lure in specialist finishing coach Stephane Adam.
Adam joins from Lille having also worked with FC Metz, and boasts a massive 14-year career.
“We always have to take care of every possible detail that could make us have an advantage and be trendsetters in the South Africa football scene,” Sredojevic said.
“We have tried to strengthen ourselves to squeeze the best out of our players and look at their individualisation. This will enhance them to lift the team in the best possible way.” @Mihlalibaleka THE GALESHEWE-based Kyokushin Sako-Juku dojo under the leadership of Sensei Lawrence Booi concluded a successful grading session of several of their karateka at the Open Air Arena this past weekend.
Sensei Booi said several of his club karateka made up of four girls and 11 boys were promoted up the ranks, with four of his charges attaining their black belts.
Booi told the DFA that the local team is currently preparing to partake in a tournament that will be taking place in Cape Town on August 18.
After that team tournament Booi will himself take part in the International Karate Federation’s selections in Citrusdal, in the
Cape during the same week as he prepares for the Karate World Cup which is happening in India later this year.