Turkish delight for Pirates

Muhsin Ertugral, coach of Black Aces reacts during the Absa Premiership match between Jomo Cosmos and Black Aces at the Olen Park Stadium in Pochestroom, South Africa on February 02, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Muhsin Ertugral, coach of Black Aces reacts during the Absa Premiership match between Jomo Cosmos and Black Aces at the Olen Park Stadium in Pochestroom, South Africa on February 02, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Published Jul 9, 2016

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Orlando Pirates have kept us guessing over the last two weeks with regard to the exact date they will unveil their plans and intentions for the new season, which will in all likelihood kick off late next month because of the Rio Olympics.

But there are no illusions about how massive the 2016/17 campaign is for the club as the Buccaneers turn 80.

New coach Muhsin Ertugral is on a three-year contract, replacing the tinkering Eric Tinkler, and as much as the Turkish mentor has a record of winning domestic cups, the Holy Grail of South African football - the Premier League title - has eluded him.

Nothing will be more satisfying for Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza than clinching the championship, but is Ertugral the right man for the task at hand?

Absolutely, and here are just three reasons why.

1. A convincing tactical acumen

Ertugral is in many ways a massive upgrade in the Pirates dugout compared to his predecessor Tinkler, who was often questioned by fans and was even nicknamed ‘Toddler’ because supporters were of the view that the gig was just too big for him.

While the Buccaneers endured a roller-coaster season by reaching two cup finals - the CAF Confederation Cup and Nedbank Cup - and failing to win any of them, Ertugral was helping Mpumalanga Black Aces - since sold to John Comitis and renamed Cape Town City - punch above their weight.

He guided them to a fourth-place finish in the league, above both Pirates and rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

Aces were the surprise package this season and few saw it coming.

Under Ertugral, Pirates are expected to be a force to be reckoned with.

It makes sense, then, to hire a man passionate about SA football and its development and is also well aware of the need to collect silverware at a big club.

The coach is yet to speak officially in a press conference setting but when he has been asked about his new challenge in various reports, Ertugral has backed himself to deliver and sees himself as a conductor tasked with fine-tuning an orchestra.

2. Big club mentality

Having coached Chiefs twice and done his rounds in his native Turkish Super League, which makes the PSL look like a picnic in terms of pressure and hostility, Ertugral has what it takes to make the Pirates 80th birthday bash a memorable celebration.

He will also immediately command respect from the squad the club have assembled because everyone will be familiar with his work as well as the temper tantrums in the dugout.

Yes, the league title might have eluded him at Amakhosi in his two stints, but he knows how to win, though.

Perhaps he is even more mature now and can make his blend of youth and experience at Pirates balance out to meet his mandates.

3. Gifted players

It is rare that silverware is not the end product when Khoza goes shopping.

This time around, he has also addressed problem areas such as central defence with the acquisition of versatile youngster Abbubaker Mobara from Ajax Cape Town.

Pirates do not lack creativity, especially with captain Oupa Manyisa back from a lengthy injury, which kept him out from as early as September to the end of the season.

But Ghanaian playmaker Bernard Morrison and Riyaad Norodien, Mobara’s Ajax teammate, will bring healthy competition.

Last season it often felt like there was not enough direction for these players to perform to the best of their ability, but Ertugral’s approach could just be the right tonic. - Saturday Star

Follow Mazila Molefe on Twitter@superjourno

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