2019 Telkom Knockout Quarterfinal Preview: ”I have a feeling…” Edward Motale – Former Orlando Pirates defender

“If you look at our last two games, which were against Stellenbosch FC, we were very solid at the back, especially in the first one. There was a stage where we were conceding early goals, but that has since improved and I’m very happy about that. The only problem I have, at the moment, is that we are too casual at the back. The goal scored by Stellenbosch was a give-away and it resulted from being too casual at the back instead of defending our lines. In the midfield and up front, we are good and can compete with anyone, although we still miss a lot of chances.

In football, the best team is the one that creates more chances and I’m happy that we go to this Soweto Derby creating more chance than Chiefs. If we can just work on finishing those chances, then we can definitely show people a different Pirates. I know our supporters are under a lot of pressure from their rivals, but they must not panic. They must continue to support the boys so that they can regain their confidence.

Our defence is improving and we need to give the team and coach Rhulani all the support because, as much as I feel the supporters’ pain – as I’m one of them – we have to understand that these things take time. It is a process and I know the team will bounce back and make us all proud. This is a team of results, especially when this other team is doing well, it becomes a problem when we are not doing well. If the neighbours were not doing well, we would be understanding the process of transition, but that’s not the case because no one from our team wants to see these other ones doing better than us. Our people can’t even enjoy their lives because of the noise made by the neighbours, but I have a feeling that this is the game that will turn our season around.”