Happy Jele: Blame Orlando Pirates players and not Josef Zinnbauer

Orlando Pirates skipper Happy Jele has urged disgruntled club fans who are calling for the sacking of Josef Zinnbauer to rather put the blame on the players.

The Buccaneers have endured an indifferent start to the current campaign as they continue to struggle for consistency in the league.

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Expectations were high for Pirates to challenge for the league honours after lifting the MTN8 trophy last year.

However, they find themselves eight points off the pace after 16 league games and Jele feels the German mentor has done nothing wrong.

“It’s us who need to be blamed; it’s not about the coach. We have to show up and raise our hands. We really need to pull up our socks and push hard because we are capable of doing well. We showed that in the MTN8,’ Jele told the media.

Jele, who has been with Pirates for 14 years, admits every coach, including Zinnbauer, has their own philosophy.

And he doesn’t think the Bucs mentor has done anything wrong since his arrival.

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This despite their midweek loss to Golden Arrows which came just days after their 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs.

“Each and every coach comes with his philosophy and we [as players] have to adapt to that. So far, the coach has been doing well. We won a trophy under him. So, we can’t deny that he’s doing well,’’ added Jele.

On the horizon for the Sea Robbers is Uthongathi FC whom they face in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday afternoon.