SUPERSPORT United coach Cavin Johnson is not worried after a public ultimatum by his chairman, Khulu Sibiya, to deliver the PSL championship or be axed.

The message was a clear warning that the club must reclaim glory this season.

Sibiya was quoted recently saying he supported Johnson and bought him the players he wanted.

"What I want I must get," said Sibiya.

Sibiya's outburst follows an unimpressive season by United's standards: a sixth-place finish with a barren trophy cabinet after years of at least one title per season.

But an unfazed Johnson said: "I was never bothered by far more serious threats under apartheid and that is why I have survived the worst.

"I have always lived under pressure. I did not allow apartheid to affect me, otherwise I would have been a drunkard today," said the tough-as-nails coach ahead of their crucial MTN8 quarterfinal clash against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium tomorrow.

"That is why I have always thrived under pressure. People like me were brought up to be tough and hard-working.

"That is why I push myself very hard. I need to coach better and we are ready for Pirates."

Johnson expects Pirates to come out guns blazing.

"It is the first game of the season and we both want to make a statement before the 2014 season kicks off.

"All I can tell you is that we are ready for this clash."

Matsatsantsa should have a psychological edge over their opponents after beating them twice last season.

But Johnson says that counts for nothing.

Bucs will rely on one of the strongest attacking forces in the PSL in Helder Pelembe, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Kermit Erasmus and Lennox Bacela.