JOHANNESBURG - The Nedbank Cup is the only trophy that provides Orlando Pirates with a chance of winning silverware in what has been a disastrous 2016/17 campaign by their lofty standards.
Kjell Jonevret, who stepped into the coaching role halfway through the season, promised that the Sea Robbers will no longer lose matches by ridiculous scorelines like 6-1 (against SuperSport United) or 6-0 (against Mamelodi Sundowns), for as long as he is around at the club.
In truth, the Sweden-born coach brought in some form of direction in the camp, helping them reach the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup – they lock horns with Lamontville Golden Arrows on Sunday at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban (kick-off 3pm).
A true test for Jonevret though, will be whether he would be able to inspire his side to produce a win over Arrows, a side that pierced Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars (1-0 wins respectively) to reach their first semi-final this season.
Jonevret, speaking at a Pirates training session at the Rand Stadium on Thursday, said he has confidence in his side to come out victorious.
“I’ll tell you now, losing 6-0 or 6-1 in a match is no fun for any coach or player,” Jonevret said.
“We haven’t had that for a while now and hopefully we are not going to have such an experience in the future. No more.
“I’ve been in seven cup finals both as a player and a coach. And I remember each one.
“I just love winning. The feeling of going into the locker room after having won a match, even if is after against EC Bees in the first round (of the Nedbank Cup) ... that's a fantastic feeling.
“But we have to channel our focus on beating Arrows. That’s our goal.
“It will be a good memory for the players, the coaching staff and the supporters as well (should they reach the final),” Jonevret added.
“It also serves as a chance to be remembered for a long time, probably for the rest of their lives (after what has been a disastrous campaign in a season in which they celebrate their 80th anniversary).
“It's also an opportunity to rediscover the magic. That’s the way I see it. They need to go out there and win that game.”
Meanwhile, Jonevret said he still entertains the hope that his side can finish in the top eight, though they have a single game remaining before the season comes to an end.
The Buccaneers are currently 11th on the league table with 33 points, just three points behind Ajax Cape Town, who are eighth with 36 points also from 29 matches.
“We have played so many games that were good in terms of how we performed,” Jonevret said. “But, the results haven’t been coming our way. It gets a bit tough because players tend to lose their confidence based on those results.
“As a coach, you sometimes have to be a psychologist as well and try to hammer it into their heads that they are still fantastic players, despite the results.
“I believe we can finish in the top eight,” Jonevret added.
“We have to hope for six or seven results in the other matches to work in our favour. It’s not going to be easy, though.
“I believe we should have won our match against Ajax, really.
“And I felt sorry for the lads. I knew that a whole lot of questions surrounding that match (and the result) would come our way. But that's in the past.
“However, as an optimist I believe it’s still possible to make the top eight.”