Kaze urges Sekhukhune United to trust their plan after Orlando Pirates defeat

Sekhukhune United coach Cedric Kaze has called on his players to show greater belief in their approach after a disappointing first-half display against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final first leg.

Babina Noko face a difficult challenge in the return match next Saturday at the Orlando Amstel Arena. They must score twice without reply if they are to reach the final of the competition for the first time.

Despite the deficit, Kaze insists the tie remains open. He believes Sekhukhune United can improve their ability to penetrate in the final third, find better positions around the box and deliver with greater accuracy in decisive areas.

“I believe that the first half was not what we would’ve hoped; we played with a little bit of fear. We concede a goal at very bad moment at the end of the first half, but in the second half we came back with the better intentions, mindset,” Kaze told SuperSport TV post-match.

The former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach acknowledged that his side’s first-half performance fell below expectations, particularly in the way they approached the game. Orlando Pirates were able to take advantage of that uncertainty and went into the interval with the advantage.

Sekhukhune United responded more positively after the break, however, and their improved approach meant the second half offered encouragement ahead of the two teams’ next meeting.

“But we need to work more on our last-third entries and have more composure, movements and better technical accuracy, but I’m hoping we will get better,” continued the coach.

Kaze said the balance of the match changed after half-time, with Sekhukhune United producing the stronger performance over the final 45 minutes. That improvement will be important as they prepare to face Orlando Pirates again in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday at Orlando, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30.

The league meeting will give Babina Noko an immediate opportunity to test whether they can carry the confidence and attacking intent shown in the second half into their next fixture against the Buccaneers.

“I feel like we had a better second half; we were the better team in the second half. We need to bring that into the next game and go in with a positive mindset from the beginning, trust our plan, and I hope and pretty sure we will do better,” Kaze said.

Sekhukhune United will then return their attention to the MTN8 semi-final second leg, knowing that a two-goal victory would secure their place in their first-ever final of the tournament. Their prospects will depend on turning the improved possession and intentions from the second half into more effective final-third play and goals.