Sekhukhune United coach Brandon Truter is determined to seek redemption as his team prepares to take on Orlando Pirates.
The recent Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals saw Sekhukhune narrowly ousted by TS Galaxy in a penalty shootout, raising doubts about Truter’s future amidst their challenging league performance.
The disappointing cup exit is now in the rear-view mirror as Babina Noko ready themselves for a crucial clash at Orlando Stadium against the Buccaneers on Tuesday night. Interestingly, Pirates, who also fell in the tournament’s last four, are grappling with their own woes after a similar defeat to Richards Bay on the same day.
“Pirates present a significant opportunity… they are also a team that’s currently struggling. Our league form hasn’t been great either, so it’s a meeting of two cautious teams on Tuesday,” Truter commented.
While acknowledging the challenge of playing Pirates at home, Truter added, “We have to stop the downward spiral somewhere.”
The memory of their last visit to Orlando Stadium still haunt Sekhukhune United. In August, they were crushed 5-0 by Pirates in the MTN8 quarter-finals. This haunting defeat remains fresh in Truter’s mind.
“Last time we were in Orlando, it was a nightmare for us, a massacre. So, that memory still lingers. We want to go there, give a good account of ourselves, and avoid a repeat of that dreadful performance,” said Truter.
Reflecting on their recent loss to Galaxy at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Truter was critical of some of his players’ lacklustre performances. Despite the disappointment, he remains optimistic, emphasizing that there are still opportunities to win silverware this season, with the CAF Confederation Cup and the Nedbank Cup on the horizon.
“To be honest, it wasn’t a good performance. We had too many players with below-par performances, but even on an average night like that, I believe we could have snatched a victory,” Truter explained. “We need to put this behind us quickly. There are other cups to compete for, but for now, our primary focus is on improving our league form, which has also been subpar.”
Sekhukhune United’s encounter with Orlando Pirates promises to be a big moment in their quest for redemption and a chance to regain their footing in the league.