Sono: The ball is in their court

Cape Town - Jomo Cosmos manager Jomo Sono believes his side can play its Nedbank Cup last-16 match without pressure as everyone is expecting Orlando Pirates to win easily.

Cosmos go into their Nedbank Cup clash against Pirates on Sunday smarting from the 5-0 drubbing the Bucs handed them in the league only three weeks ago, but Sono says that is exactly why the Buccaneers are the one under pressure.

"The ball is in their court," he told Vodacom Soccer. "They have to beat us. We are not worried about them. Everybody is expecting Pirates to score seven now.

"We have nothing to lose. We will go out there and die. They must be ready. It won't just be a tactical game, it will also be physical. We are going to be very, very hard.

"We at Cosmos are looking forward to that game. It's going to be difficult for them. They mustn't expect 5-0. They must expect a very difficult game. If we get a lenient referee who isn't excited, we have a chance.

"I have broken the players down, that it's gone and finished," Sono added.

"We beat Pirates in the first round of the league and we beat Chiefs in their own backyard. They're good results but we have to make sure that we carry on with what we are doing."