Micho revives spirits as Bucs look to bounce back
Serbian happy to work with smaller squad
Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has brought a breath of fresh air to the club and the Buccaneers look good ahead of their season opener against Chippa United at Orlando Stadium tomorrow (6pm).
It was evident from the team’s training session yesterday that the Serb has things under control.
Sredojevic has also lauded his new assistant, Rulani Mokwena, whom he described as “one of the top five upcoming coaches in Africa”, while Benson Mhlongo remains part of the technical team. Another assistant, Harold Legodi, was not at yesterday’s training session.
Pirates also have a new goalkeeper coach in Ivica Vukusic from Croatia, who has replaced Rowen Fernandez.
Sredojevic has also seemingly learnt some lessons from his first stint in 2006 in terms of the size of his squad.
Back then, Sredojevic used 40 players in 23 matches and it ended in disaster as he lasted only seven months in charge.
At yesterday’s training session, he had about 25 players at training and the group was controllable, which augurs well for their first outing against the Chilli Boys.
“It’s a manageable squad when I compare with my past times [at Pirates], when at that time we had 53 players. I believe it’s better to have 11 lions than to have 50 sheep.
“Since my arrival [earlier this month], I’m extremely satisfied with the commitment and dedication from the players,” Sredojevic told the media after yesterday’s training session at Rand Stadium.
“The 2016/17 season behind us is forgiven, but not forgotten and in that regard, everyone has been putting their best,” he said in reference to the fact that Bucs finished emptyhanded last season.
Sredojevic had not named his captain by yesterday, but that’s the least of his worries and expects everyone on the field to lead by example against Chippa United. will win something.”
Pirates spent a week in camp in Rustenburg, and the midfielder believes they are ready for their first match against Chippa United at Orlando Stadium tomorrow (6pm). If anything, the Benoni-born lad has settled in and is raring to go.
“So far I’m enjoying myself,