Motivation for Orlando Pirates as they prepare to face struggling University of Pretoria away tomorrow is coach Eric Tinkler's primary concern as he seeks to move his club up into a top-eight position.
The match at Tuks Stadium in Pretoria comes a week after the emotive exercise of the derby against Kaizer Chiefs, which always draws much mental and physical energy out of players, as was evident on Wednesday when Pirates struggled to overcome Ajax Cape Town in their subsequent Premier Soccer League match.
"Motivating players to play against Chiefs is an easy task, but for them to now be motivated to play against Tuks is a concern.
"For me, leagues are won or lost when you do or don't win these kinds of games," said Tinkler about a less eye-catching fixture. "It's an extremely important game for us because we've climbed the table now and we are only really now one win away from sixth place in the league."
Clubs are also beginning to show signs of fatigue in the busy period after the Christmas and New Year break.
"All the coaches in the league will state that this month of February is a tough month because there are so many matches coming thick and fast; it's every three days we are playing a game. Recovery becomes extremely important during this period. We need to make sure the players get enough recovery time and enough rest between games."
Pirates will also have concerns about their defence after Rooi Mahamutsa suffered a hamstring injury in Wednesday's 2-1 win at the Orlando Stadium. Ayanda Gcaba is back from suspension and he and Tsepo Gumede, Edwin Gyimah and Ntshikelelo Nyauza are the only fit defenders, with Happy Jele and Siyabonga Sangweni out.
"A clean sheet against Tuks is very, very important, but more important than a clean sheet is winning games," said Tinkler.
FIXTURES
Tomorrow:
Arrows v Wits, Chatsworth, 3.30pm; Aces v Bloem Celtic, Mbombela, 3.30pm; Chiefs v Maritzburg, FNB, 6pm; University of Pretoria v Pirates, Tuks Stadium, 8.15pm; Chippa v Cosmos, Buffalo City, 8.15pm
Sunday:
SuperSport v Ajax, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 3.30pm; FS Stars v Sundowns, James Motlatsi Stadium, 3.30pm; Platinum Stars v Polokwane City, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 3.30pm
Pirates can't afford a dip
Motivation for Orlando Pirates as they prepare to face struggling University of Pretoria away tomorrow is coach Eric Tinkler's primary concern as he seeks to move his club up into a top-eight position.
The match at Tuks Stadium in Pretoria comes a week after the emotive exercise of the derby against Kaizer Chiefs, which always draws much mental and physical energy out of players, as was evident on Wednesday when Pirates struggled to overcome Ajax Cape Town in their subsequent Premier Soccer League match.
"Motivating players to play against Chiefs is an easy task, but for them to now be motivated to play against Tuks is a concern.
"For me, leagues are won or lost when you do or don't win these kinds of games," said Tinkler about a less eye-catching fixture. "It's an extremely important game for us because we've climbed the table now and we are only really now one win away from sixth place in the league."
Clubs are also beginning to show signs of fatigue in the busy period after the Christmas and New Year break.
"All the coaches in the league will state that this month of February is a tough month because there are so many matches coming thick and fast; it's every three days we are playing a game. Recovery becomes extremely important during this period. We need to make sure the players get enough recovery time and enough rest between games."
Pirates will also have concerns about their defence after Rooi Mahamutsa suffered a hamstring injury in Wednesday's 2-1 win at the Orlando Stadium. Ayanda Gcaba is back from suspension and he and Tsepo Gumede, Edwin Gyimah and Ntshikelelo Nyauza are the only fit defenders, with Happy Jele and Siyabonga Sangweni out.
"A clean sheet against Tuks is very, very important, but more important than a clean sheet is winning games," said Tinkler.
FIXTURES
Tomorrow:
Arrows v Wits, Chatsworth, 3.30pm; Aces v Bloem Celtic, Mbombela, 3.30pm; Chiefs v Maritzburg, FNB, 6pm; University of Pretoria v Pirates, Tuks Stadium, 8.15pm; Chippa v Cosmos, Buffalo City, 8.15pm
Sunday:
SuperSport v Ajax, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 3.30pm; FS Stars v Sundowns, James Motlatsi Stadium, 3.30pm; Platinum Stars v Polokwane City, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 3.30pm
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