Orlando Pirates are keen to get their PSL campaign back on track.
Having been sidetracked by their impressive run to the final of CAF Confederations Cup final, the Buccaneers’ league form has suffered. They have picked up just five points from six games and are languishing towards the lower half of the PSL standings.
Pirates host Golden Arrows in a PSL fixture in Orlando on Wednesday (kickoff 7.30pm), with head coach Eric Tinkler aware of the need for squad rotation.
After a punishing schedule travelling the continent to qualify for next month’s Confederations Cup final, where they will meet Tunisians Etoile Du Sahel, Pirates are also through to the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout, where they face arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a Soweto derby.
While successful cup runs are always good for morale and confidence – and the club’s coffers, of course – Tinkler, as someone who has been in the game for a long time, knows that he will judged on the team’s league position.
It is for this reason that the fixture against a tricky Arrows team is crucial. Pirates desperately need to start a move up the league table, which is why tonight’s three points are high on Tinkler’s agenda.
It’s a difficult juggle for the former Bafana Bafana hardman, now at the helm of Pirates. There’s the question of fatigue, especially as he also has to keep his mind on the two upcoming cup competitions, as well as the fact that his team takes on Chiefs in a league game this Saturday.
“Players do tire, especially when a lot of travelling is part of it,” said Tinkler. “We are also on a tight schedule… we have Arrows (today), Chiefs on Saturday and then Ajax Cape Town next week. So it’s important that we rotate players to keep them fresh.
“We will have to rest a few and bring some others in. It’s an opportunity for them and they have to make the most of it. As far as I am concerned, every player in the Pirates squad can do a job for the team.”
In tonight’s other PSL fixture, Mamelodi Sundowns host Polokwane City in Atteridgeville, and the Pretoria club has an opportunity to continue its spectacular goal-scoring form. In a Telkom Knockout quarter-final at the weekend, Sundowns hammered Free State Stars 6-1.
Polokwane will have to be at their best to keep this rampant Sundowns side at bay.
To make matters worse for the Limpopo team, the club recently axed Serbian coach Kosta Papic – and the squad is now under the temporary care of assistant coach Nkuene Mayala.
There is also a full programme of NFD fixtures today, including a Cape derby between FC Cape Town and Cape Town All Stars at the NNK Rugby Stadium in Parow, and Milano United hosting AmaZulu in Athlone. Both games kick off at 3.30pm.
This week’s PSL fixtures
Today: Pirates v Arrows; Sundowns v Polokwane City. Friday: Chippa v Black Aces. Saturday: Chiefs v Pirates; Sundowns v Maritzburg; Cosmos v Polokwane City; Wits v Celtic Sunday: UP v Platinum Stars; FS Stars v SuperSport - Cape Times