Head coach Josef Zinnbauer: “[Wits] is a very big team, a very good team – they have been playing internationally [in CAF Confederation Cup] and they have very big players with experience. It’s a team that we have to work hard to beat, but the chance is there. We now have good self-confidence and we continue with the same things we do now. Then, for me, I’m happy that we had [the game against Chippa]. It was an end-to-end game, a final game for me which is a cup game, and the cup is always one game only. We play at home and I hope the supporters come and give us the support that the team needs, and when we hear them I think we give more percent on the field.”
Head coach Josef Zinnbauer on new signing Nkanyiso Zungu: "Right now he is injured. So, we cannot work with him. But I am happy that we got a good player – and it’s important that we bring him closer to the rest of the squad. He understands my system. But now we have time to work with him out of the pitch. And then I hope he comes back quickly back on the pitch,” said Zinnbauer.
Former Goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo: "It's quite exciting given the fact this is what fans want to see. This is what the fans want to see. This is what the fans pay for. Hopeful we get to give them what's worth their money. We have already played Pirates in the first round of the league game in Durban and it was an exciting encounter, end-to-end stuff. Hopefully we will be able to grind out the result and replicate the same performance we displayed in Durban. It's not going to be easy. Obviously Pirates are in good form. We just have to take the game as it comes. I always have special moments every time I visit the place I grew up. I always get emotional when I get there but at the end of the day I have to focus on the job at hand when given a chance to represent my club."
The most important thing right now… Brighton Mhlongo – Bidvest Wits goalkeeper “We go into every competition with the aim of winning it. It’s as important as whatever friendly or game that you play. But, having said that, we don’t want to put pressure on ourselves heading into the competition. We will take each game as it comes and just keep on grinding out the results, as we have been trying to do. The most important thing is right now is that we want to win and get that momentum going and then see how it goes. It’s an exciting draw against Pirates and that’s what the fans always want to see. Having played Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the first round of the league, it was end-to-end stuff (Wits won 4-3). It was an exciting game, so hopefully we will get to replicate the same result. Obviously, it’s not going to be easy. Pirates have been doing well and they’ve had a good run as well, so we just have to focus and grind out the result. We will see how it goes because we take each game as it comes.”
The timing was perfect
Dikgang Mabalane – Former Orlando Pirates winger “Pirates has been doing well and they will go into the competition with some momentum. I guess the timing was perfect for the new coach because we can’t discredit what the previous coaches – Rhulani (Mokwena) and Micho (Sredojevic) – did. The results may have not been coming, but they laid the foundation and the new coach was able to find the team with that foundation, and some of the players are coming up. If you notice, a strange thing is happening. (Thembinkosi) Lorch is not at his best, but guys like Mhango are coming up, which shows that there is depth in the team. This is why it’s important to have quality players in the team. When others drop form, then other players can come up and perform. That’s what Mhango has done, because at the moment we can agree that Lorch is not the same. But it happens to every player. However, Pirates are coming up against a team that will make it tough for them. Wits is not just a team. They are a formidable side.”
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