Wits wary of Bucs

2008-09-09 10:23

Johannesburg - BidVest Wits coach Roger de Sa, is worried about facing an Orlando Pirates backlash when his Students meet the Buccaneers in an Absa Premiership clash at Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park) on Friday night. Kick-off is at 19:30.

While De Sa was happy with his side's easy 2-0 win over Santos at home on their opening Premiership fixture last Wednesday night, he has mixed thoughts after watching Bucs crash 1-0 away to Golden Arrows in their first league fixture of the season last weekend.

Said De Sa: "I cannot see Pirates playing badly and losing two matches in succession. They always bounce back. They have a powerful squad that includes a number of Bafana Bafana players. They are still finding their feet.

"But I am not looking too closely at Pirates' defeat, it is early days and I suspect they will have worked on mistakes during the break."

The Premiership kicked-off on August 27 and immediately after the first round of fixtures, the league went into a short recess for the international Fifa dates where Bafana lost 1-0 to Nigeria in Port Elizabeth at the weekend and play Guinea at Atteridgeville's Super Stadium on Tuesday night.

Bucs had five players in the Bafana squad against Nigeria and Tuesday night's friendly international against Guinea at the Super Stadium in Atteridgeville. They are goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, defender innocent Mdledle, midfielders Teko Modise, Lebogang Mothibantwa and Thulasizwe Mbuyane.

Big spending

Every domestic league in the world is forced to recognise the Fifa week where players are released for international duty and no official matches are sanctioned. However, clubs keep busy by playing friendly matches Wits were involved in the King's Cup, a friendly tournament played in Durban at the weekend.

The Clever Boys were beaten 3-1 in the semi-finals by big spending Mamelodi Sundowns. The Brazilians went on to win the tournament in which Durban based PSL sides AmaZulu and Thanda Royal Zulu were also involved.

Said De Sa: "I was more than satisfied with the event. It gave me the chance to give all the players a game. I used mainly those who had not featured in the win over Santos and I believe we are ready for the commencement of the league and for Pirates."

De Sa is hoping to give his two new Brazilians imported midfielders their debut against Pirates. Fabricio and David have been cleared to play. "David picked up a small knock against Sundowns. I hope he is fit to play as I am keen to introduce both players as I reckon they will make an impact this season. Both are quality midfielders and have settled in nicely with the other players."

De Sa said he had a couple of players in the treatment room but would assess all the injuries later in the week. "Right now I am focusing on Pirates and making sure we do not allow ourselves to be lulled into a false sense of security after Pirates' losing start to the season. I want the players to continue from where they left off against Santos. We played well that night and I want that momentum to continue."

- SAPA