Micho wants momentum

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Orlando Pirates’ clash with Maritzburg United at the Orlando Stadium tonight will not only be about building on their winning run but to stretch their lead at the summit of the Absa Premiership table.

The Soweto giants are on 23 points after 13 games, two points ahead of second-placed Bloemfontein Celtic, who are on 21 points with two games in hand over Pirates.

Micho Sredojevic’s men have been on song lately, reaching the final of the Telkom Knockout after beating deadly rivals Kaizer 2-1 in the semifinals, before opening their Caf Champions League campaign with a 5-1 mauling of Seychelles outfit Light-Stars in the first leg of the preliminary round last Wednesday.

They face a Maritzburg outfit that has been struggling, with the Kwa-Zulu Natal outfit finding themselves third from bottom with only nine points from 10 games.

However, Sredojevic (above) won’t take Fadlu Davids’ charges lightly and says they have just been unlucky so far.

“I would disagree that they are not doing well, they are just unlucky in a way. They set the bar much higher last season so the expectations are higher. We want to give them absolute respect as they still have several national team players and when you have that in mind it is the clash of two kings who have key national team players and we want to prove our boys are better,” said the Bucs coach.

“When teams in their position play top teams they raise their level. They won’t be the same as they were when they played Chippa United, Highlands Park or any other match. This is their time to showcase their quality and turn the corner.

“We will give them respect but also more self-respect to us. We are looking forward to the game to build on our winning momentum.”