Pirates coach Sredojević approves of showboating as it brings joy to the supporters

Is it showboating?‚ is it entertainment?‚ that is the million rand question.

Well‚ if you are Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojević‚ it is simply giving the supporters what they come to the stadium to see‚ joy.

Sredojević has hailed his players for turning on the style when they pulled out an array of tricks as Pirates beat AmaZulu 3-1 on extra-time on Saturday night in Durban to join Baroka FC‚ Bidvest Wits in the semi-final stage of the Telkom Knockout.

Baroka eliminated fancied Mamelodi Sundowns after they beat them 2-0 in Polokwane and they were joined by Wits who were 2-1 winners over Maritzburg United which means KwaZulu Natal will not have representation in the competition.

At the Moses Mabhida Stadium‚ he Sea Robbers turned on the style and their trickery brought delirium to The Ghost who descended on the 2010 World Cup venue and dominated on the stands.

With the match well secured courtesy of a brace by Thembinkosi Lorch and a strike by Xola Mlambo‚ the Sea Robbers sprinkled some showboating for the supporters.

The Ghost applauded every trick as their stars shone on the night and Sredojević approves of every antic.

“You need to know something. Football is played for the supporters. We are serving and soldiering on for them. Last year we healed soul‚ this year we want to feed (the supporters’ souls).

“When something like this comes as a team effort‚ it is not the intention to disrespect the opponent. It is the intention of exciting our supporters and thanking them for the support they have given to us because we want them going back to their home happy because life is not a bed of roses.

“We don’t want bitterness for their lives‚ we want a bit of sweetness and this is exactly what happened. But‚ as a coach‚ to coach Gavin Johnson and his team‚ I have absolute respect. The best way of defending is keeping the ball in your possession and we tried in the end to defend by possessing the ball.”

Reflecting on the importance of the victory‚ the Serbian said any match is important to Pirates.

“As we talk now our supporters are going back home and happy. Us winning this match is for them‚ let them have elements of happiness. For us‚ this is now history and all the focus has to shift to Polokwane City on Tuesday.

“We are playing against a top and competitive team that has Rodney Ramagalela and their coach Jozef Vukušič. We are expecting a tough match and this is our focus now. We have already forgotten about this win over AmaZulu.”