EC Bees say they are buzzing to sting Pirates with unlucky defeat No.13

Eastern Cape Bees mostly watch – and to some extent even idolise – Orlando Pirates on TV‚ so will need no motivation coming up against them in the flesh in Sunday’s Nedbank Cup last-32 match in East London‚ said their coach Chippa Njedu.

Pirates extended their winless streak to 12 matches with their 1-1 Premier League draw against SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night. Lowly Bees will be fired-up to write their names in history making that an unlucky 13.

A match-up against ABC Motsepe League [third division] opposition Bees would appear the perfect opportunity for the Buccaneers to get their winning sting back‚ and score a hatful of confidence-boosting goals while they are at it.

However new coach Kjell Jonevret‚ who will hope for his first win in his fourth match‚ warned that Pirates need to be wary in a competition renowned for lower league giant-killing upsets‚ against fired-up opponents at an unfamiliar ground.

Njedu said on Wednesday he will have no need to motivate his largely young‚ unknown‚ players in a dream match-up for them.

• Pirates still winless under Kjell Jonevret after SuperSport draw The first round match between these sides saw fireworks and a 6-1 humiliation for Orlando Pirates, and sparks flew again in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium. 

“It’s going to be a nice game to play against Pirates. Our players watch them on TV‚” Bees’ 37-year-old coach said.

“I’ve told the players to go out and play and enjoy themselves‚ because they’ve got nothing to lose in this game.

“I don’t have to motivate the players. This is the biggest game of their careers.”

Bees‚ formed in just the 2014-15 season‚ have had a quick rise in the Eastern Cape Motsepe League‚ finishing fifth last season‚ and positioned in second in the current campaign by a point from leaders Future Tigers.

They have a sprinkling of known players‚ including 34-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs defender Mokete Tsotetsi and 36-year-old ex-Chippa United striker Welcome Qalanto. Mostly‚ though‚ Bees field unknown‚ young emerging players from the Eastern Cape.

• Baxter could face PSL's wrath after describing a referee as 'Pirates best player'SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter might find himself in hot water with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) over a comment he made about an assistant referee being probably Orlando Pirates’ “best player”. 

They will meet Bucs at the 15 000-seater Sisa Dukashe Stadium outside Mndantsane where Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with Chippa United on March 1. The ground then had been soaked in a few days’ heavy rain and Downs coach Pitso Mosimane complained about the pitch.

Njedu said the surface has improved markedly since then.

Jonevret‚ however‚ knows that a small‚ fired-up lower-league team on a tiny ground in a compact atmosphere can be a recipe for a slip-up‚ and said he would play as close to a full-strength team as possible on Sunday.

“For me the cups have always been the important thing – I think I’ve won seven or eight as player and coach‚” Jonevret said.

“[In Scandinavia] it’s the easiest way to play in Europe.

“But at the same time I know how it is with these games that everybody expects you to win.

• Pirates coach Jonevret believes he can nurse struggling Manyisa back to formOrlando Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret believes he can nurse struggling star playmaker Oupa Manyisa back to form‚ and said he believes evidence that the process has already begun was there to see in Saturday’s Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs. 

“I hate them. Because it’s always about them fighting like never before. You don’t really know how the stadium is.

“So it will be tough. And we’re going to go there with what we think is the best for the day.

“There could be a few guys [from the same starting line-up against SuperSport and a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday]‚ who do not play‚ because they have had two really tough games in four days now.

“But I’m not going to go there with a whole new team. The cup could be our chance this season‚ and we should take that one.”

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport