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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic has described his meeting with club chairman Irvin Khoza as nothing unusual amid growing concerns about the security of his job.
Pirates suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Chippa United over the weekend, a week after losing to fierce rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, in the MTN8 final in Durban.
Reports emerged on Sunday that Vermezovic would be hauled before the chairman to explain why results were not forthcoming.
But on Wednesday, October 1 the Serbian coach quashed any rumours he was already in trouble with the Soweto club's hierarchy.
"There was a meeting, but nothing unusual, nothing emergency," Vermezovic said.
"In a big club this is always happening. Yesterday was our usual technical meeting and then there was a non-technical meeting. There was nothing serious, just our usual talk.”
"The chairman didn't give me assurances because I didn't ask for assurances."
The Buccaneers face Polokwane City in the opening round of the Telkom Knockout over the weekend. Vermezovic believed the team had already identified their mistakes, and was adamant the players knew where they went wrong against Chippa.
"It was a lack of energy. In our last two games we didn't play with the same approach as the beginning of the season. They are the same players, I am the same coach and nothing has changed, except for this lack of energy.”
"It doesn't matter that we fell, it's more important how quickly we stand up."
Having already beaten Polokwane this season in a Premiership clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Pirates will be buoyed by the fact a dominant display earned them a comfortable 3-0 victory, away from home.
But Vermezovic, who described the Orlando Stadium as the country's most beautiful stadium, said his team would take nothing for granted when they welcomed Rise and Shine to the historic Soweto arena.
"All games you must take seriously and we've seen in England and in Europe, small teams, traditionally, it's very difficult to say, for sure, we are going to win this game. I don't want to underestimate any team."
Kick-off is on Sunday, October 5 at 15:00.
