Bucs smell Birds' blood

17 December 2014 - 02:01 By TSHEPANG MAILWANE
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Orlando Pirate caretaker coach Eric Tinkler. File photo
Orlando Pirate caretaker coach Eric Tinkler. File photo
Image: File photo

Two interim coaches still trying to prove themselves in the hot seats of their Soweto clubs will face off in Dobsonville tonight.

Moroka Swallows' Fani Madida and his Orlando Pirates counterpart Eric Tinkler have both recorded just one win since taking over at the clubs. But the latter will be the more confident man going into the clash.

Pirates are fresh from an impressive 4-0 win over Ajax Cape Town and no doubt eager to pile on the misery for the troubled Dube Birds, who are in 14th place on the Absa Premiership log.

Swallows have conceded 25 goals in 16 matches and come up against a Pirates side looking dangerous on the attack.

Bucs must be itching to tear the Swallows' defence to shreds and avenge the 2-1 defeat the Dube Birds inflicted on them on the opening weekend of the league season in Orlando.

"We lost to Swallows in our first league match and we are seeking revenge," Tinkler said.

"We have not had a lot of time to train because games are coming thick and fast. At this stage, recovery is more important than training. We looked at Swallows and I told our players not to look at their position on the log. This is the PSL and anybody can beat anybody.

"It's important that we show consistency in our performances. We did well against [Mamelodi] Sundowns and we were great when we beat Ajax. It means little if we do not get the result against Swallows.

"It's important to revive this game. Within Soweto it's still regarded as a big game, but the numbers in terms of attendance have dropped over the years. We want to see the fans back at the stadium and one way of going about that is if both teams play entertaining football."

Madida was the first coach to get a point out of Chiefs this season, holding the league leaders to a 1-1 draw in his first game in charge in October. He's hoping to get a positive result against another Soweto giant.

"Pirates are on song at the moment," Madida said.

"They are playing with two strikers, but I also believe it makes them vulnerable. When you play a 4-4-2 formation you are always lacking somewhere. Hopefully we will perform."

PSL Fixtures

Tonight

Dobsonville: Swallows vs Pirates (7.30pm)

Royal Bafokeng: Plat Stars vs Chippa (7.30pm)

Milpark: Wits vs Supersport United (7.30pm)

Mbombela: Black Aces vs Celtic (7.30pm)

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