Happy Jele of Orlando Pirates encourages his teammates during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 game against Marumo Gallants at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday. (Philip Maeta/BackpagePix)
Following their goalless draw with Marumo Gallants in a DStv Premiership tie at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday, Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele says they found it difficult coming up against the Limpopo-based outfit.
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Pirates came into this game having made a couple of changes in the starting line-up from their previous match against Stellenbosch FC, which they drew 2-2 by bringing on Vincent Pule and Nkanyiso Zungu.
But, the alterations made by interim co-coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids weren’t enough to bare results, with the club yet to register a victory this campaign having also lost to Swallows FC in the MTN8 quarter-finals clash in their opening game of the 2021/22 season.
“It is not something that we wanted (getting a draw), we came here for three points. We started very well, but yeah, it was difficult to play against a low block, players behind the ball. It was difficult even though we started to create chances, we didn’t utilise them. But all in all, I think it was a good game. We will take the point,” said Jele.
The Soweto giants have only been able to collect two points in as many games in the league, just as they did in the previous campaign when they drew with AmaZulu FC and Stellenbosch FC, with both games ending 1-1.
The unconvincing start in the 2020/21 season saw the club fall off the race for the league title, as they ended up finishing in third position on the league standings.
And now with the similar start in the league, it is certainly something that Ncikazi and Davids weren’t expecting, with the coaches having revealed that they were tasked to win their first games.
Pirates now have another difficult fixture coming up to focus on, with a meeting against Swallows FC on 11 September.
The coaches will have to ensure they prepare their charges thoroughly for a better result against the Birds this time around in search for their first win.
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