Josef Zinnbauer, coach of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 football match between Amazulu and Orlando Pirates at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on 24 October 2020 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
Soweto derby: Zinnbauer warns Pirates will face an ‘improved’ Chiefs side
Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has admitted that the match against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby will not be a walk in the park.
Josef Zinnbauer, coach of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 football match between Amazulu and Orlando Pirates at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on 24 October 2020 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has admitted that Sunday’s match against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby will not be a walk in the park.
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The two giants of Soweto will meet for the 100th time since the start of the PSL era this weekend, and Zinnbauer understands that while Chiefs are struggling, they are still a big club with quality players and a top coach.
Furthermore, Zinnbauer feels Gavin Hunt has learned a lot from the previous three matches he lost against Pirates, adding that the Amakhosi coach knows exactly what to say to get his players motivated for the Soweto derby.
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“We are playing against a big club, with what we know is quality players and a quality coach,” Zinnbauer told journalists on Thursday.
“He knows exactly what happened in the derby and what happened in the league, what he can do fighting for titles also. He has a lot of experience and he knows exactly what he has to say to the players,” said Zinnbauer.
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The 50-year-old German mentor admitted that while Chiefs have not been doing well in the league, they are showing signs of improvement, especially after their not-so-bad run in the CAF Champions League.
“We know they have struggled a little bit in the league but you see also in the CAF Champions League how they come closer to the points and get more points, and also in the league,” continued Zinnbauer.
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“Now it’s a signal that they are coming better in the games.”
Following their Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Enyimba in the CAF Confederation Cup, Zinnbauer said Pirates will have a quick recovery and focus for the Chiefs game on Sunday.
“So, for us is just to go through quick recovery from Wednesday’s game and continue with the same performance on Sunday,” concluded Zinnbauer.
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Kick-off at the FNB Stadium is at 15:00.
