Pirates’ clinical edge gives them advantage over Sekhukhune, says Masehe

Orlando Pirates’ ability to convert limited opportunities has given them the advantage over Sekhukhune, according to Babina Noko coach Paulus Masehe, who says his side must improve their finishing to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the MTN8 semi-final second leg on Saturday.

Sekhukhune suffered a second successive defeat by the Buccaneers on Wednesday, losing 2-0 in the Betway Premiership at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

That followed a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, leaving Sekhukhune needing to win the return match to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.

Masehe expects Pirates to approach the second leg in a similar manner, but believes Sekhukhune can challenge them more effectively if they play with greater intensity and show more composure in the final third.

“Playing against Orlando Pirates doesn’t change. They won’t change how they play because they don’t adapt to anyone. They were clinical today in converting the half-chances they got, and then that became a problem,” said Masehe.

The Sekhukhune coach felt his team’s overall plan had worked during the league meeting, with the players able to get around Pirates and create chances.

However, he identified their inability to make those openings count as the key difference between the two teams.

“Our game plan went wonderfully well. We expected to ensure that we got in and around them, and we created chances from that. I think it’s more about just being clinical in the final third; that is the missing puzzle to how we play, because the performance from Saturday and the performance from today are a bit different for us, and it shows that at least the guys have developed the confidence to take the game to Pirates.”

Masehe added that Pirates would remain familiar opponents even if coach Abdeslam Ouaddou chose to make wholesale changes for Saturday afternoon’s cup tie.

Sekhukhune must therefore find a way to produce a more decisive performance against a side who have scored four goals without reply across the two recent meetings.

The other MTN8 semi-final also features a team attempting to overturn a one-goal deficit. Mamelodi Sundowns travel to Golden Arrows after losing the first leg 1-0.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso described the return match as another test of character for the African champions.

Cardoso wants his players to respond strongly and deliver a performance capable of reminding critics of their status after one defeat.

“People forget very quickly because there was a loss in one match. Let’s see if we are strong enough to go to Arrows and give the game we need to, let’s see. It will happen but let’s see. Let’s see if we are capable enough it’s a good test for the moment.”

A separate update also confirmed that TS Galaxy’s FIFA registration ban had been lifted.