Pirates coach Davids wary of ‘unpredictable’ Baroka
Bucs will host Bakgaga in Orlando this evening.
Fadlu Davids, co-coach of Orlando Pirates (Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix)
Orlando Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids says they will have to deal with Baroka FC’s threats if they are to win against the Limpopo-based outfit when the sides meet in a DStv Premiership encounter at the Orlando Stadium tonight (Thursday).
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Davids and his Pirates charges are aiming to take their winning streak to three games in a row, but Davids is expecting a tough encounter against Baroka.
“We face an unpredictable side, very awkward in their approach. The threats with the heights, long balls, second balls. That is one area we have to manage. But, really, it’s about us manipulating their structure to be able to unlock them and score goals,” said the Bucs mentor.
“It’s a very thin line to be able to take the positives and confidence from the last matches. But don’t become complacent, use the positives and the confidence to gain momentum and get the next result.”
Meanwhile, Kgoloko Thobejane’s return to Bakgaga wasn’t a pleasant one after the Baroka coach saw his side lose 3-2 to Golden Arrows in their last fixture.
Thobejane says they were aiming for 15 points in their last seven games before the end of December, but now they will be looking to finish with 12 points.
“Going to Pirates, we still need three points and we will get it. It is just that in football, when is not your day it’s not your day. You can play for two days non-stop and this thing (not scoring) can happen,” said Thobejane.
Baroka occupy 15th spot in the league standings with eight points after 11 games, whereas the Buccaneers are seventh after accumulating 18 points from 12 games.
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