JOHANNESBURG - The flames Augusto Palacios was trying to put out at Orlando Pirates have transformed into a mighty blaze. It has ravaged the club in a year they should be celebrating an important milestone, turning 80 - instead they are in mourning.
The 6-1 loss to SuperSport United started the fire, forcing Muhsin Ertugral to resign on TV immediately after that match. Mamelodi Sundowns poured petrol all over again the fire and the Buccaneers’ problems reached wildfire levels after the 6-0 loss.
Disgruntled Pirates fans stormed the field with devastating effect, resulting in 13 fans being taken to hospital.
That loss and those ugly scenes forced club chairman Irvin Khoza to fast-track hiring a new coach who will be unveiled on Monday. That man will need to bring a giant extinguisher to douse the fire.
Palacios intends to usher the new coach in with a somewhat stable foundation by beating Wits at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night, then Cape Town City, in his last game in charge, in the Mother City on Saturday.
“We need to bounce back with a positive response,” Palacios said. “What has pleased me is that the players have been positive at training and they know what we need to do.
“We need to apologise to our fans for that loss by winning against Wits. We shouldn’t just win but should send a message. A win against Wits and Cape Town City would ensure the next coach inherits a club with a good foundation. What’s important is that he shouldn’t be immediately put under
pressure.
“The fans need to give him time. I will support him in every way I can. People don’t realise that I am not here for the money, it’s because I love this team. When the next coach succeeds, I also succeed and when he struggles, I also struggle. I love this team will all of my heart.”
Palacios’ heart took a huge beating on Saturday seeing Pirates squander easy opportunities, concede six goals, then forced to run for cover to avoid angry fans baying for blood.
“That was my worst moment in football,” Palacios said. “It raised my blood pressure which is why I didn’t return for the last eight minutes. As the coach, I am the first to take the blame when things don’t go well. I understand they (the fans) are frustrated, but they shouldn’t express their frustration like that.”
Khoza met the players on Tuesday to find out their grievances and try to get to the root of the problem as to why the club has been struggling. Khoza said he needs to see where the players are mentally - and emotionally.
They will need to be mentally sharp against the Clever Boys who put five past Ajax Cape Town last week. The attacking combination of James Keene and Phakamani Mahlambi will test the Buccaneers’ porous defence.
“The players are in a good space mentally,” Palacios said. “They have recovered from the shock and are ready to show it on the field. We had some good moments against Sundowns and even Pitso Mosimane said that we opened holes in their defence. We need to take our chances. If we had scored from the early chance we had, the outcome could have been totally different.”