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The Soweto giants will be at home pushing for their first chance to score maximum points this season against their visitors from the Western Cape.
Orlando Pirates assistant coach Fadlu Davids says his team’s biggest challenge in Wednesday’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash against Stellenbosch will be the “well-trained and organized defensive structure” of their opponents.
The Buccaneers host Stellenbosch at Orlando Stadium, freshly tied 1-1 by AmaZulu in their first league game last Saturday in Durban.
The pirates struggled to penetrate AmaZulu’s defense with their goal from a controversial penalty converted by Frank Mhango.
After facing a difficult night in Durban, Davids is looking forward to another tough encounter against Stellenbosch on Wednesday.
“Stellenbosch has always had a well-trained and organized defensive structure with five players in the back,” Davids told the Orlando Pirates. media.
“They are also aggressive. They are one of the teams organized on defense, so it’s really about unlocking this defense, unlocking this deep block. “
Expectations for the Pirates are very high after they made some big-name signings before the season, including Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshawayo, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Deon Hotto and goalkeeper Richard Ofori.
Davids says newcomers are slowly settling into the team, as midfielders Dzvukamanja, Hotto and Wayde Jooste have immediately become regular starters.
But the goal offering hasn’t improved as the Pirates’ forwards have so far struggled to score.
Two goals in as many games define their season after Dvukamanja’s goal helped them beat Cape Town City 1-0 in the MTN8 quarter-finals before Mhango’s penalty against Usuthu.
“There are positives to the last two games,” Davids said.
“It is not the result we wanted in the last game, but the new players are beginning to understand. Gesturing with his teammates, understanding our movements, non-verbal communication between us, knowing exactly where to be on the field, in defense and in attack.
“Fluency is entering as we saw in the second half [against AmaZulu]. It is simply about realizing those opportunities that we create to be able to score goals. “
The Pirates’ victory is crucial as it would set the right tone ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final clash against old foes Kaizer Chiefs.
The Chiefs are already prepared for the Soweto derby at Orlando Stadium after beating Chippa United 1-0 in a PSL game on Tuesday.
“It’s about specifying the chances we create to score goals.”
Assistant coach | @ FDavids10
#DStvPrem
@orlandopirates vs @StellenboschFC
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Orlando Stadium
7:30 p.m.
#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/M1BxwY9Wgl– Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) October 27, 2020
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