MPUMI NYANDENI
How do I see Pirates? Since the arrival of the new coach, Milutin Sredojevic,and his assistant, Rhulani Mokwena, I’ve seen a rejuvenated Pirates.
This is a very different Bucs to the one we had last season. The currentteam will make us happy people again.
What do you make of coach Milutin Sredojevic? “Micho ” is very suitable forBucs because it’s not the first time he’s with us. Now he’s got a lot of experience,both at domestic and international level.
The results we’ve had so far are promising. Also, Rhulani is not just anyassistant coach, but he’s a coach himself if you look at the qualifications andexperience he’s had at Mamelodi Sundowns. That combination should see usbeing among the strong teams this season.
What is wrong? Notmuch iswrong with the current team. I understand thatthey want to prove a point after the disappointments of last season, where wefailed for the first time in the Premier Soccer League to finish in the top eight .What is working for Pirates? I think the goalkeeper, Wayne Sandilands, ismaking a lot of difference with his experience.
Also, the way we play in the middle of the park, where the coach has also converted our captain, Thabo Matlaba, into a central midfielder, should give us results.
I like also the way Thabo Qalinge has taken his chances after getting aplace in the starting line-up. Qalinge is going to be a huge game-changer forus this season. With the current team, I see us winning one cup at the veryleast in this campaign.
What do they need to do on Saturday? It will be easy if we defend as a teamand don’t concede early. We must also make sure that we take our chances. Ifwe do that, I don’t think there’s a team that can stop Pirates.
What ’s your prediction for this derby? My prediction is 1-1, with ThamsanqaGabuza getting our goal. Pirates won’t be happy with a second successive defeatagainst Chiefs after our loss in the Carling Cup at the start of the season.
I think this will be a very entertaining Soweto derby and the fans shouldgo home happy because they will see some goals. Nyandeni was talking to Sazi HadebeAMANDA DLAMINI
How do you see Kaizer Chiefs? One of the things that pop up is the lack ofidentity in terms of how they play. I struggle to reconcile the Stuart BaxterChiefswith this one under Steve Komphela.With Baxter, itwas evidentwhattheir game plan was. You could easily see what they were doing. Currently,the guidance is absent.
What do you make of coach Steve Komphela? Maybe he is limited in termsof the advice he is getting from the bench in terms of [lacking] a strongcharacter as an assistant. You can have two bulls in one kraal. Coach Pitso[Mosimane] and coach Manqoba [Mngqithi] have proved it can be done [atMamelodi Sundowns].
What is wrong? Lately they firmly believe in promoting [players] from theirdevelopment [side]. But you can sometimes see the frustration on Shabba’s[Siphiwe Tshabalala] face, that they lack players who have the character tofight back when times are tough.
What is working? They have direction and purpose leading to the final third.Their conversion lets them down. Itumeleng Khune and Shabba are leaders.The whole team always wait for the coach, even when fans are angry andthrowing things. They have the spirit of unity, they are in it together. Also,coach Steve gives the player the liberty to express themselves.
How do you see Orlando Pirates? A team in the rebuilding phase, new coach[Milutin Sredojevic], new assistant [Rhulani Mokwena], still trying to figu reout a combination of players that would start or be on the bench.
They have lots of intention and purpose in their game plan. Coach Rhulaniwill be very crucial in instilling a disciplined tactical approach. He emphasis -es on individual players what their purpose is, something that has beenlacking at Pirates. [Thamsanqa] Gabuza works very hard, if he can be complimentedwith service he will be even better.
Because they struggled last season, it will be in the back of their minds.What is working for Pirates? The instructions from the bench are clearlyarticulated. That has really improved. They’ve had a better start...