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Jonevret, the new messiah?

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NIPPY:  Joseph Molangoane has been a livewire for Kaizer Chiefs. (Muzi Ntombela, BackpagePix)
NIPPY: Joseph Molangoane has been a livewire for Kaizer Chiefs. (Muzi Ntombela, BackpagePix)

Johannesburg - New Orlando Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret has the chance to become an instant hero on Saturday.

Although he had to hit the ground running in his new job, a win over arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs would certainly endear him to Pirates followers.

Nothing would make Pirates supporters happier than beating Chiefs and Jonevret must be well aware of this.

Empty stadium

After going through a bad patch, Pirates now need to turn things around. And there could be no better opportunity to do so than in the Soweto derby.

But it could be detrimental too, as a loss would pile more pressure on Jonevret.

Jonevret said he hoped the players would rise to the occasion and put up a decent performance.

He said he was looking forward to playing his team in front of about 90 000 spectators.

“I have been involved in big matches before in Barcelona and Turin, but never in front of 90 000 supporters. It is better to play in front of [a] crowd [like this] than in an empty stadium. And I hope this will motivate the players to go all out,” said Jonevret.

It should be hard for anyone – especially Chiefs coach Steve Komphela – to plan for the match because he does not know who will be fielded on the Pirates side.

Moreover, Komphela does not know what kind of game plan Jonevret will bring, aside from putting the same number of players on the field as his team.

It is the playing philosophy and the players that Pirates will unleash that will determine things and that should worry Komphela.

Long way

While it is too early for Jonevret to already have instilled his style of play, he can be expected to try to confuse his team’s opponents.

The Swede would no doubt have loved to have a few games under his belt before challenging Chiefs, but so be it.

While he might fancy his chances against Pirates, whose players’ morale is low, Komphela knows that his opponents need no motivation to rise to the occasion.

On paper, this is the opportune time to play Pirates, as they are out of sorts. But Komphela should also know that a wounded Pirates team is a dangerous one.

Pirates would want to turn their season around, and a win over Chiefs would go a long way to boosting their morale.

However, defeat would definitely further dent their spirits.

Nothing to prove

Before Saturday night’s game against Ajax Cape Town, Chiefs were on a roll, winning five games on the trot despite not being entirely convincing in those wins. Nevertheless, they managed to grind out the results, which is the most important thing.

One player who is looking forward to the derby is winger Joseph Molangoane, whose stint at Pirates is one to forget.

Playing against his former side always brings out the best in him. He also troubled them while still at Chippa United.

But the modest Molangoane said he had nothing to prove. He said just being part of the game would be enough.

For Pirates, Jonevret should be their saviour, despite having already said he was a not a messiah. But he could become one on Saturday.

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Fixtures
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Cape Town City FC
Cape Town City FC
Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs
Athlone Stadium
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Stellenbosch FC
Stellenbosch FC
Royal AM
Royal AM
Danie Craven Stadium
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows
Richards Bay
Richards Bay
Mpumalanga Stadium
SuperSport
Results
Tue 12 Mar 24
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns 1
SuperSport United
SuperSport United 1
Sun 10 Mar 24
Royal AM
Royal AM 2
Cape Town City FC
Cape Town City FC 0
Sun 10 Mar 24
Polokwane City
Polokwane City 0
Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows 1
Logs
Team
P
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PTS
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1. Mamelodi Sundowns
18
14
46
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2. Orlando Pirates
20
9
33
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3. SuperSport United
20
9
33
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4. Stellenbosch FC
19
9
32