Pirates shift focus to Soweto derby

Another huge fixture is fast approaching for coach Micho Sredojevic and his Orlando Pirates charges as they are preparing to line up against archrivals Kaizer Chiefs in an Absa Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium this Saturday.

The Buccaneers head into this game having played to a gruelling goalless draw against Tunisian giants Esperance in the Caf Champions League third group stage game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

To their delight, the result against Esperance saw Bucs remain at the top of Group B standings with five points, level with Esperance on points, but Bucs have a better goal difference, while Horoya and FC Platinum are third and fourth respectively.

With the focus now on the Soweto derby, Bucs are in second place in the league with 32 points, five points behind leaders Bidvest Wits who are on 37 points after 19 games, but Pirates have one game in hand.

READ: Pirates let themselves down – Davids

Sredojevic wants his charges to give more than they did against Esperance in the tie against Amakhosi who are sixth with 27 points, stating that the game will demand more from his players.

“We outplayed our opponents in all aspects of the game. Now we need to go back and plan for the derby against Chiefs.

“We need to be more ruthless. That match will demand more than we gave today (on Saturday). We have to go back and plan accordingly. We then have to focus for the next game in Tunisia,” said the former Uganda national team coach.

This will be the third meeting between the South African football giants this campaign. In their last two fixtures, Bucs emerged victorious on both occasions, beating Chiefs 2-1 in a league clash and the Telkom Knockout semifinals by the same scoreline.

Sredojevic will also use the tie against Chiefs to prepare for the return leg in Tunisia against Esperance on February 12th, just three days after the derby. The Bucs coach admits that going to Tunisia will be difficult for them as they aim to proceed to the next round of the continental competition.

“I know the conditions will favour them in Tunisia, including the weather and the field conditions. We have to prepare well for the return leg. It is not about home and away, but points. Our aim is to finish among the best two teams in our group.”

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