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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has hailed Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs for their defensive solidity, singling out Itumeleng Khune for praise.
Pirates and Chiefs will lock horns at the FNB Stadium on Saturday (15:30) in a crunch encounter for the two sides chasing Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the Absa Premiership table.
The Buccaneers head into the game in second place, one point ahead of Amakhosi. However, Steve Komphela's side boasts the best defensive record in the league, having only conceded 12 goals all season.
Sredojevic is preparing his front-line for a difficult task on Saturday, which according to him is made even tougher by the man in between the Kaizer Chiefs sticks.
"We look to create as many chances as possible so that in percentage the conversion [rate] is much better. When you repeat something several times, it becomes automatic," he said, according to KickOff.
"We have used so many training aspects on how to score in the small goal [posts], the big goal, the biggest goal. We have two or three goalkeepers to score against [in training to prepare for] one of the best goalkeepers in Africa, Itumeleng Khune, on Saturday. This is what we are looking at."
Pirates have scored an impressive 17 goals in eight matches since the turn of the year in all competitions after struggling in front of goal in the first half of the season. However, according to Sredojevic, the real acid test will come on Saturday.
"If we are really so good in scoring in the second round, then I challenge us to try against the best defence to be dominant, effective and have a much better conversion rate. They are a top class defending team, so this is a challenge for us attacking-wise. We need to find a formula for that."
