WINDHOEK – Going into their penultimate tie against giant-slaying Tura Magic in what promises to be an intriguing MTC Premiership clash of the titans at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tonight at 20h00, FNB Orlando Pirates will be out to halt their opponents’ fairytale unbeaten run after two rounds of matches.
Ali Akan’s fired-up Buccaneers started the season like a house on fire defeating old foes African Stars in their opening match – only to stutter against Eleven Arrows when all and sundry raved about Pirates being strong hopefuls for the elusive league title.
Last weekend’s result left Akan fuming at his players’ lack of commitment, a situation he blames on complacency that crept in hot on the heels of their surprise triumph over Stars.
“It should be well understood that the league is a marathon and one should not read too much in one bad result. We still have a long road ahead of us but those valuable three points we lost against Arrows could come back to haunt us in the later stages of the campaign,” charged an agitated Akan.
He urged his wounded soldiers to learn from their mistakes and to develop a winning mentality, notably when playing at home because the league will be extremely difficult this season given the good performance of the so-called small teams.
Pirates will be out for sweet revenge against Bertus Bock’s young brigade after they were bundled out of the League Cup by the same opponents in the semifinal of the season’s opener.
“It’s a must win game for us, we need to collect maximum points from tonight’s match if we are to stay in touch with the early pace-setters. We have a well-balanced talented squad laden with the capacity to go all the way and win big things this season but the boys must seriously work on their off-the-field discipline.”
Buoyed by their victory in the League Cup, Tura Magic have been on a rollercoaster ever since they mauled Eleven Arrows 3-0 to claim their first ever silverware in topflight football.
A comprehensive 4-2 away win against league rookies PC Blue Boys in their opening match followed by a goalless draw against Katutura glamour football club African Stars, sent tongues wagging with many football pundits tipping the Tura boys as serious title contenders.