Sekhukhune United coach Cedric Kaze welcomes three-match Orlando Pirates test

Sekhukhune United coach Cedric Kaze is relishing the challenge of facing Orlando Pirates three times in quick succession, with the two clubs set to meet in the MTN8 semi-finals and the league over the next 10 days.

Babina Noko will welcome the Buccaneers to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday for the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00. The teams will then meet in the league at Orlando Amstel Arena on 25 August before returning to Soweto four days later for the semi-final second leg.

The demanding sequence comes after Sekhukhune United restored some confidence by beating Polokwane City at the weekend. That victory followed a disappointing 2-0 defeat, and Kaze believes his team must use the positive result as a platform for the opening clash with Orlando Pirates.

“It was the third game in six days, and to finish it with a win is very important because we have a very busy week, and it was good to finish on a positive note,” Kaze said. “Now we will get some rest and recover and prepare well for the MTN8 seminal.”

Kaze was encouraged by the response from his players but wants the same determination and belief to be evident when they face Orlando Pirates.

“Yeah, it’s the kind of reaction that we were waiting for, and it’s a derby as well. It’s a good way to react and to get back to the winning side of the league. The difference was in the attitude, in the belief that we wanted to do something.

“I thought that in the game in the midweek [against Chiefs], we gave too much space, too much respect to the opponent, and we didn’t play our game and press them and play with the belief that we can make things happen. That was the difference today.”

The win over Polokwane City was particularly important for Sekhukhune United after their midweek performance against Chiefs, when Kaze felt his side had failed to impose its own style on the game.

His focus now turns to managing the physical and tactical demands of a busy schedule involving the same opponent in two different competitions. The opening MTN8 meeting at home will be followed by the league fixture at Orlando Amstel Arena, before the teams settle the semi-final at the return leg in Soweto.

The other MTN8 semi-final begins on Sunday, when Mamelodi Sundowns host Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in the first leg.