subscribe Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Subscribe now
Home truths: Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic is concerned his team has been held to four draws on their own familiar turf. Picture: SYDNEY MAHLANGU/BACKPAGEPIX
Home truths: Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic is concerned his team has been held to four draws on their own familiar turf. Picture: SYDNEY MAHLANGU/BACKPAGEPIX

Orlando Pirates coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic says his side will have to vastly improve their record at home if they are to be serious Premiership title contenders this season.

Pirates dropped crucial points at home after they were held to a goalless draw by Maritzburg United at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

“We need to critically look at this because when it happens the first time you tell yourself ‘it’s an accident‚ second time it’s coincidence’ but this is our fourth home draw‚” he said.

“We need to be self-critical and ask why we could not convert the chances we are creating and why we’ve had four draws at home.

“In each of those draws we have been dominating. Those are eight points dropped at home [11 when you add their 1-0 loss to Bidvest Wits].”

Pirates have picked up 10 out of a possible 21 points in seven matches at home this season. Their 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs and 3-1 triumph against SuperSport United were the only times they managed to earn maximum points at home. Maritzburg‚ Golden Arrows‚ Cape Town City and Highlands Park have all held the league leaders to potentially costly draws at Orlando Stadium‚ a setback that Sredojevic struggles to wrap his head around.

Second-placed Wits‚ who have played two matches less than Pirates‚ are slowly and steadily closing the gap, with the Clever Boys’ 1-0 win over Black Leopards in Thohoyandou on Saturday providing evidence of their surge up the table.

Pirates will continue with their hectic schedule when they visit Light Stars in Seychelles on Wednesday in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round before wrapping up the week with a clash against Baroka FC in the Telkom Knockout final in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Sredojevic’s team won 5-1 in the first leg against Light Stars last week and will be favourites to go through to the first round.

Against Baroka, the Buccaneers will be looking to win their first domestic trophy in four years in a competition they have won just once (2011) since its inception in 1982.

 

subscribe Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.