Vilakazi vows to up tempo in Bucs game

05 August 2014 - 02:00 By Mazola Molefe
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Wits skipper Sibusiso Vilakazi hopes last Friday's dreadful display to scrape through the MTN8 quarterfinals against Bloemfontein Celtic on penalties does not set the tone for their season.

The reigning Footballer of the Year, speaking at yesterday's semifinal draw, called for an improved performance in the coming weeks.

Wits will face Orlando Pirates over two legs and host the first encounter next weekend.

Platinum Stars welcome Kaizer Chiefs in the other semifinal before travelling to Soccer City on August 23 for the return match.

"I think we were all disappointed," said Vilakazi, who missed a spot kick.

"We could see we were never in the game and were lucky to even get a win out of it."

Wits have set their sights on silverware this season, but have repeatedly come out second best against Pirates in cup competitions, losing 3-1 to Bucs in the Nedbank Cup final last season despite going into the break in the lead.

"It's another tough game for us, especially against Pirates. For me, they are the most organised side at this stage after I saw them play Supersport United and win 2-1," he said.

"But I can't worry about their high-tempo match because what's important is for us to look at what we are doing at Wits," said Vilakazi.

Pirates assistant coach Eric Tinkler, who helped launch Vilakazi's career when he was part of the Wits technical team, said the Clever Boys will line up differently when the two sides face off in the last four of the tournament next week.

"To be fair, they could not register their foreign players in time and our game will be very different," Tinkler said.

"We also still have to work on our finishing because the concern was that if Supersport scored, the whole game could turn around completely."

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