Publications
Partners
With their upcoming Soweto derby in the Telkom Knockout semifinals, the CAF Confederation Cup final and a taxing league campaign, Orlando Pirates have a month that could define their season.
Failure in these three legs will probably signal the end of Eric Tinkler’s tenure as Pirates coach.
Having won just one of their eight league matches before yesterday’s Soweto derby, the Buccaneers’ league challenge looks dead in the water.
While their ailing domestic form is largely attributed to the club’s continental campaign, it will count for nothing if Pirates do not beat Tunisia’s Étoile Sportive du Sahel in the Confederation Cup final later this month.
But Tinkler and his technical staff can turn to industrious midfielder Lehlogonolo Masalesa to turn things around for the team.
After missing five games for the Buccaneers through suspensions this season, Masalesa has vowed to bounce back and steer the Bucs ship in the right direction.
The 23-year-old midfielder said he had learnt his lessons after receiving two red cards so far.
Masalesa could return to the line-up on Wednesday when Pirates host Ajax Cape Town after he missed the previous three games against Maritzburg United, Golden Arrows and yesterday’s clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
He said November would be a testing month for the team, but the tough schedule was what the players needed to show their character.
“It’s going to be tough, but we have enough quality in the team to compete on all fronts. Sometimes we need an element of luck to turn our season around,” said Masalesa.
He said playing on the continent was different as teams go to the games wanting to win, unlike in the Premiership.
“Here they come prepared for a draw, they park the bus and a win is a bonus for them, whereas in the Confederation Cup everybody wants a victory. We must just plan how to unlock them.”
Written off at the beginning of the season, Masalesa said he had Pirates chairperson Irvin Khoza to thank for believing in him.
He said it took a heart-to-heart meeting with Khoza to realise he was still valued at the club when he had sought a move away.
“I had a one-on-one chat with the chairperson and he made me realise that I still had a role to play in the team.
“Despite the fact that I was not playing, the chairperson sang a different tune and that brought back my confidence.
“I looked at it as a minor setback that I needed to overcome.
“I had nothing to lose, as everyone had written me off. I put myself in their situation and instead of feeling sorry for myself, I realised that I needed to come back.”
He said he felt he had let the team down and wanted to repay the supporters when he got the chance.
Masalesa hopes it will not be long before he reclaims his position in the team.
“I will fight for my position and I hope to add value to the team.”
