Mazola MolefeAmakhosi’s new coach still needs to figure out what our game is about
ORLANDO Pirates coach Ruud Krol will have the league title in his sights this season after narrowly missing out in the last campaign.
But his counterpart at Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs, Vladimir Vermezovic, is still using pre-season tournaments to suss out South African football.
Krol will use such events to amend his mistakes, with the hope of clinching the league title at the end of the shortened season.
The two teams clash in the Vodacom Challenge tomorrow at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth. The winner will face Manchester City in the final match of the tournament on Saturday.
The derby could provide a clear indication of who, between the two coaches, would have shaken off pre-season jitters in time for their club’s first PSL game next month.
Pirates finished second in the PSL, being beaten to the title by Supersport United on goal difference.
And although it was a season without silverware, Bucs were rewarded with a spot in the African Champions League.
The Buccaneers have made six signings, with Dennis Masina still to be confirmed a Pirates player. After their 2-0 win against City on Saturday, they look set for dominance in the PSL.
The “mighty” Amakhosi, winners of MTN8, have their work cut out though. Led by a new coach after Muhsin Ertugral was shown the door, this spells another “rebuilding” phase for Chiefs.
Vermezovic has already bagged a trophy after the Phefeni Boys, who have signed seven players for the new season, won the Eastern Cape Premier’s Cup early this month. The Serbian coach says the draw against Iran two weeks ago gave him “an idea of which players could be regulars when the season kicks off”.
Here’s a look at some of the potential match-winners in the derby tomorrow:
Pirates’ key players
Andile Jali: Given the free role, the Benedict Vilakazi look-alike former Pretoria University player could trouble Amakhosi on the night and in more derbies to come.
Phenyo Mongala: He announced his arrival with a brilliant curler against City. He also gave Chiefs skipper Jimmy Tau a torrid time in the Nedbank Cup while turning out for Pretoria University last season. If Krol uses that type of mind game in this game, it could pay dividends.
Chiefs’ key players
Knowledge Musona: Striker Musona has the advantage of speed. If he doesn’t become injury-prone, the goal ace’s stay at Amakhosi could be pleasant. This may be a decent outing for him against Pirates.
Mthokozisi Yende: AmaTuks former player, who has missed all three of Chiefs’ pre-season games. A great passer of the ball and midfield genius, what better team to make his mark against than Bucs.
Read MAZOLA MOLEFE’s blog: http://blogs.thetimes.co.za/soccer/
+ comments + 6 comments
That's right khulu!
Mr. Krom thanks for all the good work so far. So far so good Sir. Mr. Gordon Ingesund left Pirates because of great preasure at Pirates and went to Sundowns where he did freat things. But after a while the body needs a break to recouparate but in soccer we tend not to have that, hence Ingesund got burnt out. Anyway now he is well rested and commited to his contract. Some of the people I am not going to call their names wanted the man but could not get him.
I say all this to say you need an assistant and to mind comes Khabo Zondo. Khabo is a great worrior he needed a little break after golden arrows but now he is very fresh and he must be ready to crown here at Pirates. Khabo is proven and tried. While many go for a lot of legs let us get a lot of mind and Khabo needs no assesment, he is just tha good. He is a man who is so big but humble enough to become too small.
Little Man
Ayeye Vimba ayeye. Vimba vimbamozevic vimba, hey vimba dis grigamba vimba.
Pirates must stop abusing Chiefs. This is no longer fair, year after year. Pirates must not be allowed to play Chiefs again. United Nations cannot keep turning a blind eye. This game is retired, Chiefs must play Sundowns and the rest. Teko my man.
Adult Fan
Niks five tens.
Pikinini
I knew it, Mandela was flying with his broom. He and Graca were punupunu the night before the game. That did it, watch Chiefs will have his face on their Shirts soon. If Bobby is not pick pocketing he is sure thakating.
I am going to Loftus and I am still to decide which team will goeda durring the game.n It will be goeding all 90min.
Resolve Radebe