Menzi Magubane
Orlando Pirates midfielder Fortune Makaringe has admitted that psychologically the team found it hard to shift their focus from the MTN8 triumph and face the reality of the DStv Premiership.Â
“We won the MTN8. We celebrated. The hardest part was convincing ourselves that we have other challenges,” said Makaringe.
It often happens that teams struggle to get positive results in their first match after a cup victory, but the former Maritzburg United maestro was a hero for Pirates on Wednesday night when he scored the winning goal against Chippa United.
“In the past we have found the going tough after a final. Against Chippa we needed to put our heads down and humble ourselves so we could win,” said Makaringe.
Pirates’ win on Wednesday left them within touching distance of the teams above them. They are back in third place in the log standings, four points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and two behind Swallows FC.
With the last games of the year still to be played this weekend, Pirates will be watching with interest – especially the Downs and Izinyoni matches. Wednesday’s match was the last for the year in the DStv Premiership.
They are given extra time to prepare for their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup. They will be travelling to Angola to take on GD Sagrada Esperanca in the first leg of the tournament on Tuesday.
Picture source: @orlandopirates
