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The Buccaneers coach refuses to let his team feel comfortable due to what looks like a round-trip victory for MTN8 in command.
Orlando Pirates backup coach Fadlu David warned his team that they will “make a mistake” if they are deemed to be MTN8 finalists, while also saying that Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt should not be viewed with the eyes of sympathy for not participating in the transfer market.
The Pirates enter Sunday’s MTN8 semi-final, the second leg at FNB Stadium, carrying what appears to be a comfortable 3-0 second leg win at Orlando Stadium.
While the Pirates have enjoyed their business in the transfer market, signing big-name players like Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thabang Monare, Deon Hotto and Terrence Dzvukamanja, it’s a different story for the Chiefs who were unable to reinforce their squad due to a ban. of FIFA signings.
But despite the Chiefs’ obvious difficulties this season, Davids insists they are playing “dangerous” opponents.
“You have to look at the big picture and the big picture is that Kaizer Chiefs came within 20 minutes of winning the league with this team,” Davids told the media.
“In the last game of the season, they lost the league. They have only lost one player, George Maluleka, and they have exactly the same squad. Yes, the difference is in the technical team, they have another coach.
“We know their strengths, we know how dangerous they can be, especially with an experienced coach like Gavin Hunt. It goes for the goals and we know they can change the game immediately. We will definitely not enter the game by undermining Kaizer Chiefs, but by knowing their strengths and setting up the game like a normal 0-0 game.
“I don’t think it’s time to feel sorry for him because, looking at the squad he has from last season and the squad he has now, he is definitely an improvement in terms of the quality of the players they have and the structure of the squad. They have a quality side at the moment. Yes, they couldn’t get stronger but like I said, that squad took them 20 minutes away from winning the league title ”.
In an apparent reference to Liverpool’s heroic comeback in the 2005 Champions League final, where they broke through 3-0 down at halftime to force a 3-3 draw and subsequent victory on penalties On AC Milan, Davids is wary that the Chiefs can pull off such a feat.
“We approach the game like any normal game and we take the score out of the equation. I think we will make a mistake if we start the game with a 3-0 score in the head, “said Davids.
“We have seen the [Uefa] Champions League final where a team won 3-0 at halftime and lost again. So we take it as our half time, but our half time is not the normal 45 minutes. We have 90 minutes to play. So we will approach the game trying to score goals.
“We know we have to approach the game without going into it complacently. Don’t think with one leg in the final ”.
Davids says he is constantly in contact three or times a day with Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer, who is on compassionate leave in his home country of Germany.
The Chiefs come into this game straight from a frustrating 0-0 draw in the Premier Soccer League against TS Galaxy, while the Pirates beat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0.
