[ad_1]
Across departments, Sea Robbers are outfitted with quality and will feel confident challenging the remaining trophies at stake.
Orlando Pirates fans have every reason to celebrate after the club ended a six-year trophy drought and are now focused on the remaining trophies on offer.
After a series of lost cup finals over the past six years, the Pirates finally ended bad luck by beating Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in the 2020 MTN8 final, which took place at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. at night.
That victory could be the spark the club needed to get closer to its glory days of a decade ago, when under coach Ruud Krol, the Pirates won two consecutive triples – the national league and two cup trophies, in two consecutive seasons.
Of course, it would be premature to assume that the Bucs will continue to win this entire season, but there is room for optimism.
Importantly, if you look at the entire Pirates team, there is quality in every position and there are no obvious weaknesses.
With a lot of new players brought in before the season, adjusting to a rhythm was the only challenge they had, but now, three months later, and following the final victory of MTN8, the team seems to be solidifying.
Overcoming injuries
The Sea Robbers have not been without injury problems this season, especially among their forwards and offensive midfielders.
Thembinkosi Lorch was out for a month and Gabadinho Mhango, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) joint top scorer last season, has barely played this season due to injury, but the Bucs have still found a way to score goals and win matches.
With Tshegofatso Mabasa also back from injury, and Zakhele Lepasa taking quick steps and now with Mhango back in the picture, the Bucs have some good firepower up front.
That’s without taking into account Democratic Republic of Congo striker Jean-Marc Makusu, who has yet to make his debut.
And with players like Lorch, Vincent Pule, Deon Hotto and Fortune Makaringe also capable of chipping in goals and assists from midfield, the Pirates shouldn’t have a hard time scoring this season.
Leadership from behind
The Soweto giants also have plenty of coverage on defense, as evidenced by the fact that club captain and central defender Happy Jele can barely get a game right now.
It has been left out due to the arrival of the Bafana Bafana skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo. And right in the back, goalkeeper Richard Ofori could prove instrumental over the course of the season in helping the Bucs fight for the league, as the saying goes, “goals win games, defenses win leagues.” .
Hlatshwayo and Ofori are not only quality players, but they are also natural leaders and organizers, who will bring stability and calm to the team when things go down.
Coach
Last but not least is head coach Josef Zinnbauer. The German arrived without much success, but now he has the platform of victory in MTN8 to give him confidence in the future.
Tactics and team selection aside, it’s Zinnbauer’s personable personality that could make him a success at the club. It was easy to see the close bond he has with his players when the celebrations on Saturday night were televised, even inside the Pirates locker room.
When a coach is able to strike the right balance between respect and accessibility, it is often a recipe for success.
The next step for the Pirates after their victory in the cup final is a league game with Chippa United on Wednesday night at Orlando Stadium.
