WITH Lucky Lekgwathi once again relegated to the suites, Orlando Pirates yesterday warned Lamontville Golden Arrows to forget about going beyond the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals.
The two sides will meet at Orlando Stadium at 7.30pm today in a game that will also see Mark Harrison making his debut as Arrows coach.
Harrison replaced Manqoba Mngqithi, who quit soon after guiding Arrows to a 3-2 win over Bidvest Wits in the same competition two weeks ago.
Abafana Bes'thende captain Thanduyise Khuboni is excited about the arrival of Harrison, who he described as a highly knowledgeable coach.
"The coach gives players freedom and we are working as one big family. He treats us like his own children; we will do well under him," Khuboni said.
"He knows his football and players in the Premier Soccer League. Pirates must not expect any special treatment for representing us [South Africa] well in the Champions League."
Bucs defender Rooi Mahamutsa, who scored the all-important goal against Esperance that earned them a place in the Champions League final, said: "The celebrations of reaching the Champions League final are over and [focus] has shifted to domestic soccer. I know a lot of people are concerned with our performance in the league and cup games in the PSL [but] we will beat Arrows by a big margin and qualify for the semis."
Mahamutsa's sentiments were echoed by goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, who said: "We want this trophy to come back to Parktown. We need a big win ahead of Saturday's Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
''The expectations are high after the good work done in Tunisia."
Pirates are expected to rest midfielder Sifiso Myeni because of a groin injury that has troubled him for almost a month. They are also expected to bring back Kermit Erasmus, Manti Moholo and Aubrey Ngoma to compliment the team that travelled to Tunisia.
Lekgwathi has been training with the other players who did not go to Tunisia.
Approached for comment, coach Roger de Sa said there was no tension between the technical staff and their former captain.
"Lucky has not played in four successive PSL games and there was no way we were going to take him to a semifinal match. He is training hard to get his fitness level back.
"He is not the only one who is not playing. He is 37 years old and we are not going to put him under pressure."
Still no room for Lucky at Pirates
WITH Lucky Lekgwathi once again relegated to the suites, Orlando Pirates yesterday warned Lamontville Golden Arrows to forget about going beyond the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals.
The two sides will meet at Orlando Stadium at 7.30pm today in a game that will also see Mark Harrison making his debut as Arrows coach.
Harrison replaced Manqoba Mngqithi, who quit soon after guiding Arrows to a 3-2 win over Bidvest Wits in the same competition two weeks ago.
Abafana Bes'thende captain Thanduyise Khuboni is excited about the arrival of Harrison, who he described as a highly knowledgeable coach.
"The coach gives players freedom and we are working as one big family. He treats us like his own children; we will do well under him," Khuboni said.
"He knows his football and players in the Premier Soccer League. Pirates must not expect any special treatment for representing us [South Africa] well in the Champions League."
Bucs defender Rooi Mahamutsa, who scored the all-important goal against Esperance that earned them a place in the Champions League final, said: "The celebrations of reaching the Champions League final are over and [focus] has shifted to domestic soccer. I know a lot of people are concerned with our performance in the league and cup games in the PSL [but] we will beat Arrows by a big margin and qualify for the semis."
Mahamutsa's sentiments were echoed by goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, who said: "We want this trophy to come back to Parktown. We need a big win ahead of Saturday's Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
''The expectations are high after the good work done in Tunisia."
Pirates are expected to rest midfielder Sifiso Myeni because of a groin injury that has troubled him for almost a month. They are also expected to bring back Kermit Erasmus, Manti Moholo and Aubrey Ngoma to compliment the team that travelled to Tunisia.
Lekgwathi has been training with the other players who did not go to Tunisia.
Approached for comment, coach Roger de Sa said there was no tension between the technical staff and their former captain.
"Lucky has not played in four successive PSL games and there was no way we were going to take him to a semifinal match. He is training hard to get his fitness level back.
"He is not the only one who is not playing. He is 37 years old and we are not going to put him under pressure."
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