Buccaneers launch new-look galleon to test the waters
HE’S cautious about playing up his Buccaneer ship coming out all guns blazing, but coach Roger de Sa does believe an injury-relieved Orlando Pirates can start the PSL season strong.
De Sa, whose side meets AC Leopards at Orlando Stadium in a fortnight to open the Caf Champions League group stages, came in for some stick as Bucs ended 2012-13 in miserable form. Pirates won one match from their last 11 to concede their Absa Premiership title to archrivals Kaizer Chiefs somewhat meekly.
The team had a string of injuries that would have constituted a first team.
When we are at full strength we’re as good as anyone
At a giant like Pirates that’s not always enough to deflect criticism. Now, with just centre-back Siyabonga Sangweni due to miss the first few matches, De Sa has a galleon — including Thabo Matlaba, Andile Jali and Sifiso Myeni — that can test the waters.
“If we’re at full strength we’re as good as anyone,” the coach said. “With some of the players — the two centre-backs, central midfielder, strikers — the spine of the team, any side would battle. We’re fine now — we’ll have a balanced combination.”
Pirates have been conservative in the transfer market, signing striker Lennox Bacela and midfielder Jackie Motshegwa from Bloemfontein Celtic, Ghanaian goalkeeper Fatau Dauda and ex-Platinum Stars wing, Joseph Malongoane. Benni McCarthy has retired and Onyekachi Okonkwo, Takesure Chinyama and Moeneeb Josephs have all been released.
De Sa, who has been working with a squad of 30 which, he said, will be trimmed, is content.
“We still need a centreback and a striker, with Benni and Chinyama gone. Lennox is a lot more mobile than what we’ve had.
“He gives us someone to get onto the long ball and run at them a bit.”
Bucs have a full programme around the PSL kickoff on August 3. After facing Congo-Kinshasa’s Leopards, they meet Chiefs in the Carling Black Label Cup. Pirates will have to play their home league opener against AmaZulu in midweek, as it clashes with their Caf match against Al-Ahly in Cairo.
De Sa says he has done his homework watching DVDs on Leopards.
“We’re going to Lesotho for the King’s Cup [against Matlama FC
Lennox gives us someone to get onto the long ball
next weekend] and that should be our dress rehearsal, against an African team away, which is probably the closest we can get.
“The Champions League transfer deadline is the end of July. The tricky part is the players who have left the club are registered. You are allowed to bring in another four. I’ve got to play it until the last minute to get the strongest squad.”
After Bucs’ stirring run to the group stages, De Sa wants to have a full go. Pirates stand a chance. Their most intimidating opponents — Egyptian giants Al-Ahly and Zamalek — have had their league suspended and will play behind closed doors.
“I guess it will feel a bit like a training match. I saw the latest this week was a military coup. We’ll see how it goes — I don’t know what that means to Caf,” De Sa said.
“We’ve done very well to get here, against a lot of odds. Now we must give it everything.”