Orlando Pirates head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has promised that his side will offer Mamelodi Sundowns a greater contest in next season’s Absa Premiership.
The Buccaneers lost 1-0 to Cape Town City and a 3-1 win for Sundowns over Ajax Cape Town saw the Brazilians clinch their eighth league title on Saturday afternoon.
The Bucs will finish second in the league but have done well to push the Brazilians all the way. Sredojevic has turned things around miraculously this season at Pirates and after playing his team’s title credentials down all season, he believes they are now ready to mount a serious title challenge.
‘I have to be a gentleman but we have to promise them [Sundowns] much fierce competition next season,’ Sredojevic told SuperSport after the game.
‘I want to congratulate them. They’ve been at the top, undisputed for much of the season. I congratulate my colleague Pitso Mosimane and the management [of Sundowns].
‘Both teams will represent the country in [the Caf] Champions League next season.’
Micho also revealed that his team tried everything to get back into the game against the Citizens but were simply beaten by a moment of brilliance.
‘We knew that the match was going to be tight – one moment of brilliance was going to decide it. We entered the game with the intention of building identity, create chances and have variety in attack. We tried everything,’ he said.
‘After that moment of brilliance in the first [half], we regrouped for the second half. We put all the strikers we have in and exposed ourselves at the back. Unfortunately [Luvuyo] Memela got injured.
‘We did everything for that moment of brilliance to be on our side, unfortunately, it was not. We hit the post with that chance by “section” [Thabo Qalinge]. Unfortunately, it didn’t go in. We have learned lessons and are looking forward.
‘We believe we have had a wonderful season behind us with one match to go. In the first half of the season, we fought to bring stability. It’s a process, we grew up as a team.
‘I want to thank the players for working hard, they have had sleepless nights and hardworking days.’
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
