‘I’m very confident that in that Pirates game,’ said the Golden Arrows head coach.
Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi is confident his side can compete when they take on Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership this evening.
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Arrows were thumped 3-0 by Stellenbosch on Saturday and are struggling under Mngqithi. The KZN side have won three matches all year and are just three points above the relegation play-off spot, currently occupied by Cape Town City.
‘Intrinsic motivation’
“First, we need to look at Pirates, look at their strengths and their last three or four matches, and see how we can capitalise on some of their weaknesses,” Mngqithi told reporters after Saturday’s game.
“We also need to do the best we can in dealing with the areas where they are strong.
“I’m always confident that in games where you don’t need intrinsic motivation. This team (Arrows) can always come out and surprise you because they also want it.
“It’s just unfortunate that when you win those matches (against teams like Pirates), and you have given points away in these matches, it feels bad.
“But I’m very confident that in that Pirates game, we can still do very well.”
Mngqithi may well have been referencing the fact that two of Arrows’ three wins this year have come in a Premiership home-and-away double over Kaizer Chiefs.
Pirates, however, are a far better team than Amakhosi, and will be looking to keep alive their feint hopes of catching Sundowns in the title race.
Pirates need to stay focused
Jose Riveiro’s side will have to avoid the distraction of the upcoming Nedbank Cup final against Chiefs on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
It remains to be seen just how many players the Pirates coach chooses to rest against Arrow, with the final in mind.
The Buccaneers do have an excellent record against Arrows, winning 13 and losing just three of their last 23 meetings.
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Pirates bounced back from losses to Pyramids in the Champions League and Sekhukhune in the Premiership by beating Chiefs 2-1 in the Betway Premiership last Saturday.
“Finally the hard work pays off, we had to win today,” Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa told SuperSport TV after the match.
