Thursday’s Absa Premiership match against Orlando Pirates will be the biggest game of the Bidvest Wits players’ lives‚ says hugely experienced Moeneeb Josephs.
Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Josephs‚ a 2010 World Cup squad member and veteran of Pirates’ back-to-back treble-winning team of 2010-11 and 2011-12‚ said that if Wits keep calm and focus on their own task‚ they can win the PSL in 2016-17.
Wits’ excellent 1-0 win against African and defending PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Bidvest Stadium on Monday got the Clever Boys firmly back in the title race as league leaders.
Josephs said staying there with a win against Pirates at the same venue on Thursday could be crucial.
Asked about the influence Wits’ senior players and former league title winners such as Josephs‚ his ex-Bucs team-mate Daine Klate and Elias Pelembe can have at this crucial stage‚ the keeper replied: “What I do see is that it’s the biggest game of our lives coming up on Thursday.
“We have to go back to training‚ and plan for Thursday.
“We just have to remain calm. It’s still anybody’s game but as long as we’re focused on our game‚ do what we have to do‚ pick up the points that we need to pick up‚ we stand a good chance.
“We’re not depending on anybody. So the next game is the biggest of our lives.
“It’s not easy coming up against the champions of Africa (Sundowns) and getting three points at such an important time.
“But you know what‚ it’s still a long road ahead. This was a very important three points‚ but Thursday’s an even bigger game again.
“With Orlando Pirates coming on a kind of a good run as well‚ it’s going to be another humdinger. But these are the kinds of games you want to be playing – against the big teams.
“You know how South African football works. When you play the small tams you need an extra motivation. But when you’re playing the Sundowns‚ the Pirates‚ it’s a bit easier motivation-wise.
“But tactically it’s better‚ because you know their shape and that the coach can study that.
“But we know it’s going to be a big game on Thursday and we’re looking forward to that.”
Pirates have lost one game in 11 under new coach Kjell Jonevret‚ even if they have not looked particularly convincing.
Wits are seeking their first league title in their 96-year history. - TMG Digital/TMG Sport
Josephs views showdown against Pirates as the biggest game of the Wits players' lives
Thursday’s Absa Premiership match against Orlando Pirates will be the biggest game of the Bidvest Wits players’ lives‚ says hugely experienced Moeneeb Josephs.
Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Josephs‚ a 2010 World Cup squad member and veteran of Pirates’ back-to-back treble-winning team of 2010-11 and 2011-12‚ said that if Wits keep calm and focus on their own task‚ they can win the PSL in 2016-17.
Wits’ excellent 1-0 win against African and defending PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Bidvest Stadium on Monday got the Clever Boys firmly back in the title race as league leaders.
Josephs said staying there with a win against Pirates at the same venue on Thursday could be crucial.
Asked about the influence Wits’ senior players and former league title winners such as Josephs‚ his ex-Bucs team-mate Daine Klate and Elias Pelembe can have at this crucial stage‚ the keeper replied: “What I do see is that it’s the biggest game of our lives coming up on Thursday.
“We have to go back to training‚ and plan for Thursday.
“We just have to remain calm. It’s still anybody’s game but as long as we’re focused on our game‚ do what we have to do‚ pick up the points that we need to pick up‚ we stand a good chance.
“We’re not depending on anybody. So the next game is the biggest of our lives.
“It’s not easy coming up against the champions of Africa (Sundowns) and getting three points at such an important time.
“But you know what‚ it’s still a long road ahead. This was a very important three points‚ but Thursday’s an even bigger game again.
“With Orlando Pirates coming on a kind of a good run as well‚ it’s going to be another humdinger. But these are the kinds of games you want to be playing – against the big teams.
“You know how South African football works. When you play the small tams you need an extra motivation. But when you’re playing the Sundowns‚ the Pirates‚ it’s a bit easier motivation-wise.
“But tactically it’s better‚ because you know their shape and that the coach can study that.
“But we know it’s going to be a big game on Thursday and we’re looking forward to that.”
Pirates have lost one game in 11 under new coach Kjell Jonevret‚ even if they have not looked particularly convincing.
Wits are seeking their first league title in their 96-year history. - TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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