Pirates’ Diski youngsters buoyed by senior team promotion

Orlando Pirates’ start in this season’s DStv Diski Challenge has been impressive, and coach Mandla Mqhogi says the motivation for his players is seeing a number of players getting a nod for the senior team.

The young Buccaneers are currently joint log leaders with Stellenbosch having collected 21 points after nine games apiece, with Bucs occupying second place on the standings.

The likes of Boitumelo Radiopane, Simiso Bophela, Thabiso Sesane and Azola Tshobeni to mention a few, are some of the academy graduates who have done well in the reserves and went on to be promoted to the Buccaneers top tier side.

Mqhogi’s charges have win seven games and recorded two draws, with their previous encounter seeing them thrash Marumo Gallants 6-0.

And now ahead of their game with Sekhukhune United in Tsakane on Saturday, the Bucs coach wants to see his troops continue with the same hunger and determination they have showed in their past games going into this clash.

“There isn’t much motivation just that the team wants to do better for the club and players know there is a chance of promotion to first team since there’s been a lot of young players going there. And the team shows hunger of challenging for honours this time around,” the Bucs reserves coach told Phakaaathi on Friday.

“We are not looking at the log position of Sekhukhune as they are still a good team and our results against Gallants are a thing of the past. We are looking at the new challenges of Sekhukhune.

Our approach is not going to change as we are going there not to underestimate Sekhukhune, but to go for all three points so we stay in touching distance with a team (Stellenbosch) on top of the log. We still going to have the desire to do well, with lots of hunger and energy in defeating our opponents.”