30 November 2018, by: Leonard Solms

WHY PIRATES NEED TO BE CAREFUL AGAINST BAROKA

After six wins and a draw in their last seven games, Orlando Pirates are red hot favourites to land their first major trophy since 2014 when they face Baroka FC in the Telkom Knockout final. However, Bakgaga might prove a tougher test for the Buccaneers than many expect.

After a shaky start to the season, Milutin Sredojevic’s men regrouped to propel themselves to the top of the Absa Premiership. Having beaten Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 last weekend to book their place in the final, Ezikamagebhula followed up with a 5-1 win over Seychelles outfit Light Stars in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

However, if there is one man in South Africa who does not already envision the Buccaneers lifting the trophy, it is Baroka coach Wedson Nyirenda.

Having cited his trophies in Mozambique and Zambia as proof of his big-match temperament, the former Kaizer Chiefs striker was quoted by Kick Off as saying: “There are so many medals in my house, I don’t know where to put the one I’m going to get against Pirates.”

While Nyirenda may have been playing mind games, his players’ giant-killing exploits in the tournament so far — including wins over Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits — have suggested that they believe him.

Pheeeeewwww,
What a heavy load. pic.twitter.com/ySs8hGTgAx

— Baroka Football Club (@Baroka_FC) November 29, 2018

Like Pirates, Baroka got the season off to a woeful start. Prior to their first round win over Golden Arrows, they had gone eight games without victory. With former key frontman Gift Motupa now at Wits, the Limpopo-based side struggled to put their chances away.

To make matters worse, a rift emerged between Nyirenda and key player Talent Chawapiwa after the Zimbabwean declined to shake his coach’s hand after being substituted in the 2-1 league defeat to Pirates. Nyirenda initially dropped the winger, but did not take long to offer him a second chance.

While results did not turn around immediately, Nyirenda’s refusal to cave in to player power sent a stern message to his players: keep working until you turn your fortunes around or somebody who is willing to will take your place.

“I don’t believe in luck. If you start believing in luck, you become a lazy person, because nothing comes for nothing. You have to do the right things,” he told SuperSport after the 1-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic late in October.

His players must have been listening. Since then, they have most certainly done “the right things”, winning against Sundowns and Wits in the cup, as well as Arrows in the league.

While Pirates still have to overcome Maritzburg United and see out the second leg against Light Stars before they can turn their attention to the Telkom Knockout final, Baroka have already set their sights on the clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 8 December.

Although most punters will likely be putting their money on Orlando Pirates, a bet against Baroka would be a braver one than you might think.

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Leonard Solms

Leonard Solms is a sports journalist who features regularly on various local and international platforms including ESPN, New Frame, FARPost, Tagged Online and Careers Magazine, as well as this one. He enjoys the occasional bet and the most important tip he can give you is to bet within your means.