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Ex-Bucs striker credits Jonevret for Pirates revival

Cape Town - Former Orlando Pirates striker Phumudzo Manenzhe says head coach Kjell Jonevret is getting the best out of some of the team's key players.

Jonevret has steadied the Bucs ship since arriving three months ago, and has overseen a particularly impressive Nedbank Cup run which has seen the Soweto side reach the final, to be played against SuperSport United on June 24.

Manenzhe, who works these days as a football analyst on television, says Jonevret's ability to get Pirates captain and talisman Oupa Manyisa firing on all cylinders has been crucial.

"In terms of the Nedbank Cup, the guys have shown a lot of hunger and determination. I think since Kjell took over, you can see he has revived the hunger of some of the players like Oupa Manyisa," Manenzhe told Goal.com website.

"You have seen him (Manyisa) being deployed in different positions," he continued.

"He has been played in the number 10 role behind the strikers and at times he has had to be used as a box-to-box midfielder."

According to Manenzhe, a couple of tweaks to the formation have also helped.

"I'd also like to give credit to Jonevret for changing the structure of the team. He has played with two defensive midfielders in Issa Sarr and Oupa Manyisa in order to stop them from conceding too many goals," he explained.

“So playing two-defensive midfielders has brought a lot of stability into the team and in doing that, he has allowed Manyisa the ability to have some freedom."

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