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Ertugral: Pirates have to start well

Cape Town - Muhsin Ertugral has revealed his excitement at the start of the new campaign, whilst maintaining that Orlando Pirates have to be victorious in their opening league encounter.

The Soweto giants officially begin their tenure under Ertugral with a league encounter against Golden Arrows on Wednesday at Orlando Stadium and the Bucs mentor believes that his side have to get off to a winning start.

"Well I don't take any team lightly; we respect all our opposition and we are aware that the match against Arrows will be a tough one," Ertugral told his club's website.

"A team of Orlando Pirates' calibre has to start very well so we will definitely be on the hunt for all three points tomorrow."

"There are areas where there are a lot of changes, and through these changes the team will have different patterns of play and organisation through the different aspects of the game, so the boys will have to adjust to all these elements constantly.

"But, nonetheless, I think we have prepared very well, especially over the last camp, which was vital to show us where we stand," he said.

The former Kaizer Chiefs coach also made mention of the unavailability of new signing Abbubaker Mobara, who will miss the game through suspension.

"It is always a concern when you don't have all your players available to you, but I will not mention who will play there because I don't want to spoil the element of surprise."

"We would have loved to have Mobara in that defensive midfield position; he had a wonderful tournament with the Olympics and it would have been nice to start with him for the first match."

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