Chiefs coach boastful ahead of final

Kaizer Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic was full of confidence as he reminded arch-rivals Orlando Pirates about his club’s cup record ahead of the sold-out MTN8 final at FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Serb made reference to his team’s emphatic Telkom Knockout and league victories over Pirates last season, as Amakhosi go in search of an unprecedented 15th top-eight crown.

“It seems people have already forgotten last season’s 3-1 and 3-0 wins,” said Vermezovic.

“I think players from Pirates have not forgotten it, that’s why they probably won’t come out of the tunnel.

“I don’t need to remind the Pirates players, they know that. They didn’t change a lot from last season, but they are playing with big confidence now.

“Our guys are really excited to play this game and a lot of people are talking about it.”   

Vermezovic said he had worked out Pirates’ weak points and, with  the Buccaneers conceding the least goals in the league last season,  he said he would test their defence by unleashing on them his pacy trio of Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro.

“We will do anything to put them under pressure and use their weaknesses which we know,” Vermezovic said.

“They have one of the best defences in the PSL but we will play Tshabalala, Parker and Majoro so it’s going to be good defence against top strikers.” 

The philosophical Pirates’ coach Julio Leal was more sedate and concentrated on his team’s chances of lifting his first official title with the club since joining in June.

While defender Rooi Mahamutsa has recovered from injury, Leal will be without suspended striker Benni McCarthy and the injured midfielder Isaac Chansa.

“It’s been good preparations and we have a full squad. Rooi has started practising with the squad and only Isaac and Benni cannot play this game,” Leal said.

“The mood and motivation is high, and I hope we can control the anxiety for this game.   

“It’s important that we defend this trophy and have all the motivation to keep it with us.”    

Pirates are the defending champions of this R8 million prized cup — a trophy they won last year to end a 10-year tournament drought.

They went on to take the league and the Nedbank Cup to complete the treble and Leal is hoping an MTN8 will build a similar foundation for the season ahead.

“After the game is finished everyone will hopefully be happy, and even though there will only be one winner, we hope that the overall match will be good to watch,” said Leal.

“Players showed last season how important it is to win competitions and trophies after several seasons of not winning.

“If we win, it will give us the confidence that we are on the right track and that good results will come.”