JOHANNESBURG – After hammering Platinum Stars 6-1 on Sunday, Orlando Pirates coach Philani Kubheka says that thorough preparations are what will help them beat rivals Kaizer Chiefs in order to progress to the semi-finals of the MultiChoice Diski Shield (MDS).
Pirates’ reserve team are currently in the Central Pool of the Shield and trail Chiefs by three points but a win over Amakhosi at Vosloorus Stadium on Sunday will see them go top of the standings.
Kubheka also believes that the team have to do well in this tournament as they groom players for the first team.
“We had a game plan, and it worked very well,’’Kubheka said of the win against Stars. “The boys are almost ready as we try to prepare them for the first team. We won today because we used the same system as they do in the first team, and it worked. We needed to convert our chances. If we got 10-15 chances, I am sure the score would be different.”
The two Soweto giants played to a 1-1 stalemate in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC) last season.
The Sea-Robbers’ were at some point in contention for the league title but their aspirations were crushed by champions Golden Arrows in the penultimate round. Pirates and Chiefs are not the only teams that can still qualify for the last four in their Pool as mathematically, Bidvest Wits are also still in it, as they are tied on points with Pirates.
However, Wits have to score a large sum of goals against a troubled Dikwena team that won’t have a single substitute for their encounter. But Pirates will only be doing themselves a favour in the Derby.
“That will be a tough game,”Kubheka said. “It’s another story. We needed to go back to the drawing board, where we’ve done analysis and watched some of their games. We just have to be more prepared.”
“Our main aim in the Stars’ game was to score goals. We knew that if we get more on the scoring sheet, the game against Chiefs will be merely about three points.”
The 38-year-old former striker is currently in his first season at the Buccaneers after taking over the reins from Rayaan Jacobs at the end of the MDC campaign.
“I have really enjoyed myself so far,’’ Kubheka said of his stay with the team. “We are at the summit of the table even in the Castle League. We’ve had nine wins before suffering our first defeat against Wits. So far, I really think it’s been a good couple of weeks.’’
@Mihlalibaleka
The Star