Pirates look to bounce back against Chippa

ERIC Tinkler believes a win against Chippa United in tonight’s Absa Premiership encounter (kick-off at 7.30pm) will allow Orlando Pirates to redeem themselves following their 1-0 defeat against SuperSport United in their season opener.

Tinkler, said Pirates were just unlucky to lose to their Pretoria opponents in the past week but that they have learned from that experience.

But the Sea Robbers caretaker coach also understands that Chippa are not going to be an easy side to beat, following their 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs on the opening weekend of the season.

“Preparations have gone according to plan,” Tinkler said. “The guys were obviously disappointed over our defeat against SuperSport but we’ll have to move on from that.

“We know that this match is an opportunity for us to get back to winning ways. It’s definitely not going to be an easy one for us, that’s for sure. Chippa are always a difficult side to beat but we are ready for them. A win in this encounter will do us good building up to the weekend’s clash (against AC Leopards in a CAF Confederation Cup group match).”

Pirates will be without Thabo Rakhale and Brighton Mhlongo tonight after they suffered injuries against SuperSport.

Rakhale has a groin injury, while Mhlongo, who has torn an anterior cartilage ligament, is expected to be out for between eight and 10 weeks.

Tinkler reckons the absence of Rakhale and his first choice goalkeeper, will serve as a perfect opportunity for other players to show what they have to offer.

“Mhlongo has been outstanding in our CAF campaign and it’s unfortunate that he won’t be available for selection in the coming weeks,” he said. “Rakhale’s groin injury is nothing major. The doctors said he just needs to rest for a few days and he’ll be fine.“

Meanwhile, Ajax Cape Town’s unhappiness with the match officials in Saturday night’s MTN8 semi-final, first leg tie against Wits at the Coetzenburg Stadium in Stellenbosch is far from over.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but Ajax are lodging an official complaint against one of the assistant referees.

Head coach Roger de Sa alleges the official repeatedly swore and showed him the middle finger during an altercation at the conclusion of the game. De Sa is confident television footage of the incident will back up his claim.

The PSL will only respond once they have received, and studied, all the reports from the match officials as well as Ajax’s official complaint. Bafana Bafana captain Dean Furman is on the verge of signing for SuperSport United.

The Pretoriabased club are scheduled to make an announce-ment on TV tomorrow evening – and it appears Furman will be the subject of the

broad-cast.