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De Sa hits back at critics

Cape Town - Following a poor run of results which includes two cup final defeats, Orlando Pirates head coach Roger de Sa is not paying much attention to those criticising him.

The former Wits mentor has been under pressure since taking over at the Soweto giants from Augusto Palacios in September 2012.

Pirates lost the MTN8 final to Platinum Stars back in September and also surrendered the much desired CAF Champions League title to Egyptian giants, Al Ahly.

“Look I don’t read the critics at all because they are not in my control,” De Sa told Sport24 in an exclusive interview.

“I managed to reach two cup finals already this season and that is very difficult to achieve at some point.

“Yes I might have lost them but the fact is I want to win just like anyone else, more than the supporters too and I don’t have to stress much about the critics because in whatever you do, you will always be criticised.”

After the recent resignation of former Pirates coach, Ruud Krol, as mentor of Tunisian club, CS Sfaxien, reports had linked the Dutchman with a possible return to the Buccaneers.

De Sa, 49, also ruled out speculation that he will resign from the Sea Robbers reigns should they lose their Telkom Knock-Out final against Platinum Stars on Saturday.

“I have a contract with Pirates and I will honour it.

“It’s normal to lose a cup final and it is still normal to lose a league game, that’s football.

“Losing is part of the game as we all know.

“It’s not like I have lost two games in the first round of each cup competition so why must I resign?

“Can you imagine what would happen in football if every coach resigns after losing a cup game? No, that’s not how it should be done.

“It was going to be better if I lose two first round matches in two consecutive competitions, yes then I would consider resigning.”

Pirates and Dikwena will battle for the R4.25m first prize at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night and De Sa said his players are looking on the bright side.

“We don’t think of the past results.

“Our main aim is to improve and the key to improvement is to move on.

“Our players have a positive attitude as we are ambitious and we are confident of a win on Saturday.

“We will also be boosted the return of Oupa Manyisa and Happy Jele from injuries.”

“RDS” also explained his reasons for keeping the sometimes erratic Senzo Meyiwa between the sticks, and not giving Ghanaian international goalkeeper Fatau Dauda a run.

“Dauda is our third-choice ‘keeper.

“Brighton Mhlongo is our second choice and the other thing is Dauda is always away with his country.

“He needs to be patient too and hopefully his time will come just like Senzo.”

Kick-off for the Telkom Knock-Out final is scheduled for 20:15.

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