Telkom Knockout – Round 1 – Preview
Thanda Royal Zulu FC - Orlando Pirates
DURBAN, October 25 (Telkom Knockout) – Thanda Royal Zulu coach Roger Palmgren believes his players need no motivation ahead of their Telkom Knockout clash with Orlando Pirates at the weekend.
The two sides meet at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Sunday with all the talk in the build-up surrounding the availability of captain Bernard Parker and midfielder Felix Obada.
The star Amabhubesi pair are currently attending trials in Sweden and are only expected back in the country on the morning of the match, making them a huge doubt in Palmgren’s starting XI.
The Swede will also be concerned with his sides recent form after they followed up back-to-back league wins at the start of the campaign with defeats in their last two outings.
Nonetheless, he is positive that his troops will raise the bar against the Soweto giants.
He said: “You don't have to motivate South African players for a match against Chiefs or Pirates, as they automatically lift themselves.
“When you are famous, everybody wants to beat you. We won't be planning anything special for them. We'll just try to play our normal game.”
With Parker and Obada doubtful, there are also concerns for Palmgren over Peter Ndlovu (knee), Norman Smith (ankle) and Katlego Loke (knee), all of whom face late fitness tests, while Bongani Mbele (muscle) is most probably out.
And the coach is clearly concerned, adding: “In the worst case scenario, we will miss six players. We are a small club, so it becomes critical when we miss any player.”
He might however take heart from knowing that his counterpart Rudi Krol faces some similar distress.
Gilbert Mushangazike (calf) and Lebohang Mokoena (stomach) are both doubtful, with Jerri Adriano (ankle) and Kelebogile Mabe (knee) certain absentees.
The Buccaneers have struggled so far this season – they currently sit second from bottom in the league without any wins to their credit – and pressure is certain to further mount on Dutchman Krol if they encounter another failure.
“Pressure? I like pressure – I can work with it,” he said this week. “It is important because it’s keeping us on our toes.
“We all know that our problem this season has been our failure to score goals. But a win over Thanda would do wonders for confidence.
“We are working hard at training but have been struggling to put it together in front of goals during matches. Hopefully that will change on Sunday,” he added.