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Motupa excited to work with Ertugral

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates youngster Gift Motupa has welcomed the appointment of Muhsin Ertugral as Eric Tinkler's replacement at the Soweto giants.

Motupa is looking to get two things out of the Cosafa Cup, cement his place in the national Under-23 team's 18-man squad that will go to the Olympics and get as much information as he can on his new coach.

The Turkish mentor was announced as Tinkler's replacement by the Buccaneers after putting pen to paper on a three-year contract.

Motupa will try to get as much information as he can about Ertugral from his Under-23 teammates Judas Moseamedi and Aubrey Modiba, who worked with the Turk at Mpumalanga Black Aces.

"Pirates are a big team, if they appoint a coach like Mushin they know that he is the right man for the job," Motupa told Vodacom Soccer.

"I am happy that he will coach us because he gives young players a chance. He is renowned for using young players who tend to shine under him.

"Aubrey and Judas are examples of that. Whenever I can, I will speak to them about what I can expect and what type of a coach he is. I will get a few pointers from them.

"It will take a lot of work though to impress him because I won't spend pre-season with the team because we will be preparing for the Olympics then. I just have to adjust as quickly as possible."

Motupa's immediate focus is on the Cosafa Cup, with the national Under-23 team using the tournament to prepare for the Olympics. On Saturday they will play Lesotho in the quarter-finals in Windhoek.

"This is a good team, with a good spirit and morale," Motupa added. "We support each other. We are always there for one another. It's a good team that can go far.

"The last time I played with this team in Senegal, it helped me take my game to another level. I wasn't playing that much at Pirates. But after I returned from Senegal I played a lot of games which I am happy with."

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