Kjell Jonevret will hope that this is the weekend where the coach can earn his first win‚ and Orlando Pirates can avoid unlucky winless game No. 13‚ when Orlando Pirates travel to Eastern Cape Bees in the Nedbank Cup.
On the surface if it‚ a trip to Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mndantsane‚ East London‚ to meet ABC Motsepe League opposition on Sunday would appear the perfect opportunity for Bucs to break their 12-game victory duck.
But the Nedbank Cup is known for giant-killing upsets‚ and Jonevret has said he is aware that meeting fired-up opposition‚ out to prove themselves in a once-off match-up against giants‚ in a compact‚ 15 000-seater ground can be a recipe for a slip-up.
For a star-studded team who have shown signs of regaining much-needed confidence in their three 1-1 draws under new coach Jonevret‚ a shock defeat would be a stumbling block to that process.
Jonevret admitted he might have rested players in Bucs’ league draw against SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night following an intensely-fought Soweto derby stalemate against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
The coach‚ though‚ opted to reward his starters against Chiefs for what he thought was a promising display.
“I was happy that for the third time against SuperSport we came back from being 1-0 down. That showed a bit of character‚” Jonevret said.
“And even if many of us were tired we fought hard.
“And I was also positive that in the second game in four days we showed that we are at the same level as top teams right now like Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport.
“That was positive for us going forward.
“I’m learning. And I think the game on Saturday took a lot out of the players. And me also‚ but especially the players.
“You saw we had as bit of a lack of energy. Both teams did‚ but maybe a derby against Chiefs takes a bit more energy than a home game against Ajax Cape Town .
“So maybe I should have changed a few players. But I wanted to give them credit. I thought they played a really good game against Kaizer Chiefs‚ so I wanted everyone who was in there to have a chance to show themselves again.
“Maybe that was bad – you never know.
“But I’m looking forward to the future. Because I thought even if there were a few tired players and we could not quite play at the same level as our first two games‚ still‚ we are close.
“With a little luck would could have won against SuperSport – we had some really good chances.
“I said from the beginning we have to take it step by step. And it’s good with two draws‚ also‚ against top teams like Chiefs and SuperSport.”
Jonevret has said he will rotate to some extent against Bees‚ partly to rest players and partly to continue assessing his squad‚ but will field a strong line-up.
Pirates will have to be wary of a Bees player with much to prove. Siyabulela Shai‚ son of ex-Mamelodi Sundowns stalwart Isaac‚ has been loaned from Downs‚ where he was a promising youth product‚ to teams including Maritzburg United and Chippa United.
The 23-year-old’s resurfacing at a third division team hints that a wayward talent’s career is in danger of going off the boil. Shai will be out to prove otherwise in a game that could get him back on the map in SA football.
- Tiso Black Star Group Digital/Tiso Black Star Group Sport
Loss against Bees will be blow to Jonevret's attempt to build confidence at Orlando Pirates
On the surface if it‚ a trip to Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mndantsane‚ East London‚ to meet ABC Motsepe League opposition on Sunday would appear the perfect opportunity for Bucs to break their 12-game victory duck.
But the Nedbank Cup is known for giant-killing upsets‚ and Jonevret has said he is aware that meeting fired-up opposition‚ out to prove themselves in a once-off match-up against giants‚ in a compact‚ 15 000-seater ground can be a recipe for a slip-up.
For a star-studded team who have shown signs of regaining much-needed confidence in their three 1-1 draws under new coach Jonevret‚ a shock defeat would be a stumbling block to that process.
Jonevret admitted he might have rested players in Bucs’ league draw against SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night following an intensely-fought Soweto derby stalemate against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
The coach‚ though‚ opted to reward his starters against Chiefs for what he thought was a promising display.
“I was happy that for the third time against SuperSport we came back from being 1-0 down. That showed a bit of character‚” Jonevret said.
“And even if many of us were tired we fought hard.
“And I was also positive that in the second game in four days we showed that we are at the same level as top teams right now like Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport.
“That was positive for us going forward.
“I’m learning. And I think the game on Saturday took a lot out of the players. And me also‚ but especially the players.
“You saw we had as bit of a lack of energy. Both teams did‚ but maybe a derby against Chiefs takes a bit more energy than a home game against Ajax Cape Town .
“So maybe I should have changed a few players. But I wanted to give them credit. I thought they played a really good game against Kaizer Chiefs‚ so I wanted everyone who was in there to have a chance to show themselves again.
“Maybe that was bad – you never know.
“But I’m looking forward to the future. Because I thought even if there were a few tired players and we could not quite play at the same level as our first two games‚ still‚ we are close.
“With a little luck would could have won against SuperSport – we had some really good chances.
“I said from the beginning we have to take it step by step. And it’s good with two draws‚ also‚ against top teams like Chiefs and SuperSport.”
Jonevret has said he will rotate to some extent against Bees‚ partly to rest players and partly to continue assessing his squad‚ but will field a strong line-up.
Pirates will have to be wary of a Bees player with much to prove. Siyabulela Shai‚ son of ex-Mamelodi Sundowns stalwart Isaac‚ has been loaned from Downs‚ where he was a promising youth product‚ to teams including Maritzburg United and Chippa United.
The 23-year-old’s resurfacing at a third division team hints that a wayward talent’s career is in danger of going off the boil. Shai will be out to prove otherwise in a game that could get him back on the map in SA football.
- Tiso Black Star Group Digital/Tiso Black Star Group Sport
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