Venda Football Academy coach Joel Masutha has made a bold prediction on how Orlando Pirates’ 2022/23 could pan out.
Masutha got a closer look at Orlando Pirates when his side clashed against the Soweto giants in the Nedbank Cup.
Venda lost 2-1 to the Bucs on Saturday, 11 March 2023, in the extra time as the two teams couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes.
Despite the Polokwane outfit struggling in the league, they made the Buccaneers sweat for victory to progress to the last eight of the competition.
Thembinkosi Lorch netted the winner 113 minutes into the game. Kermit Erasmus and Edmore Chirambadare had initially scored for their respective teams in either half.
MASUTHA’S PIRATES PREDICTION
“For us to play like this, psychologically, it’s a victory, but good luck to Pirates. They would go and take it,” said Masutha.
“There are no specific reasons. For me to think they will go on and win it. If a team beats me, I want them to win. They will continue to talk about us. That’s the reason.
“When the teams from lower leagues meet the giants, we always expect surprise results. That’s what we were looking forward to.
WHY MASUTHA WAS HAPPY DESPITE DEFEAT
Masutha further singled out his players for praise for the type of game they played against the Sea Robbers.
He believes the performance will be motivation for them in the league to climb up the table.
“We lost, I guess it was just a sign to say there is a gulf in terms of experience, the way we handled the situation, especially towards the end, their second goal.
“I’m really happy with the way we battled, the way we planned trying to stop the in-form players who were giving everyone goosebumps; Lorch and [Monnapule] Saleng.
“But otherwise, I can say it was a good fight. It was a good outing,” he added.
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