Johannesburg - Gordon Igesund is out to win the Telkom Knockout cup competition with his Highlands Park side this season.
But the coach understands his hopes will not go unchallenged as they have two more knockout rounds to go before they reach the final stage of the competition.
The Lions of the North lock horns with Orlando Pirates in a quarter-final clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 8pm).
Igesund warned his side to guard against complacency as Pirates are likely to approach this encounter like wounded tigers, following a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of SuperSport United in a PSL league clash on Tuesday.
“Definitely,” Igesund said. “Our priority is to stay in the league this season. The league championship is not even on our minds. We want to avoid the chop in this campaign and possibly start challenging for it in the next campaign.
“The Telkom Knockout remains our only realistic chance of winning something this season.
“The players are aware of it. They need to grab this opportunity with both hands and run with it, otherwise they might live to regret it. It would be nice if we could go all the way (to the final).”
The former Bafana Bafana coach added that he was pleased with how his players were responding in training following his arrival at the club, saying that the three-game unbeaten run so far was a sign of good things in this campaign.
“The players are gradually adapting to the way I want them to play and I’m happy with that,” Igesund said.
“They gave a good account of themselves against Maritzburg United and I believe we are slowly getting there.
“My only worry is that we won’t have some of our experienced players for this clash.
“Both Collins Mbesuma and Rudi Isaacs got slight knocks. The medical team have been working around the clock to get them ready for this one. However, it seems unlikely they’ll be available (for selection).”
Despite not having two of his experienced players, the multiple championship-winning coach said he is confident they’ll cause an upset.
“We go into this encounter as underdogs,” the 60-year-old mentor said.
“Everybody expects Pirates to go through instead of us, and that’s a good thing.
“It puts less pressure on our shoulders. That’s what I want. I want my players to be free in this match. Knowing that no one expects them to win will push them to fight for a result. They’ve got nothing to lose anyway.
“But having said that, though, we’ve got nothing but huge respect for Pirates. They are a good side,” said the man who has also coached the Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, Eric Tinkler will hope his Cape Town City side continue with the fine goal-scoring form they’ve shown in their previous three league matches when they take on Baroka FC in the TKO at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
The last time these sides met, City suffered a 2-1 defeat in their own backyard in a league clash.
Tinkler and his charges will want to win this clash as it will see them go a step closer to making their maiden cup final appearance.
Mohau Ramashidja
The Star