Vermezovic: Orlando Pirates are still hurting from Meyiwa tragedy but the show must go on........ Orlando Pirates succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Supersport United in the Telkom Knockout semi-final at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening. Following the tragic passing of their captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, the Sea Robbers returned to action for the first time since they dumped Ajax Cape Town in the last eight of the same TKO tournament, the last time Meyiwa was in goal and skippered them too. Still reeling from the loss of their stalwart, Pirates found conditions against the revitalised SuperSport (under Gordon Igesund) too diffcult too bear as the likes of Thuso Phala and Lebohang Manyama, with their pace and skill on either flanks proved too much for Patrick Phungwayo and Happy Jele respectively. All of the evenings attention would be on young Brighton Mhlongo, who was the man that kept goal for the Sea Robbers, his first game of the season in the elite league and he would soon learn that the pressure in the top-flight isnt one for the faint-hearted, after United raced into a 2-0 half-time lead. This was thanks to Uniteds man of the match Lebohang Manyama, as well as Dove Wome. Coach Vladimir VV Vermezovic admitted afterwards that they didnt come to the party and that SuperSport deserved their victory, as they still need time to heal completely from the loss of one of their star men. It was a very difficult game. We made two mistakes that resulted in two goals. After a difficult time, our game wasnt correct as we know in my personal opinion as a coach, the Serb said post-match at the Orlando Stadium. In the second half, we tried hard to come back into the game, but we just couldnt score. With two weeks without a game, one week where we didnt train (following the death of Meyiwa) I congratulate my players for their effort. But today they (SuperSport) were better no doubt. We need time, they (the Pirates players) need time to heal from the tragedy that has befallen us. We will never forget Senzo, he will always be with us. But the show must go on, Vermezovic continued. Despite conceding two goals, Vermezovic is still proud of Mhlongo and believes that he did well on the night. Brighton did very well today. Even with his hurt. He says he is fine but I know deep down that its tough and that he is hurting. I spoke to him in these last two weeks and told him to be strong. It was a difficult time for him to be on the field, because they (him and Meyiwa) were great friends, Vermezovic said. This result means that SuperSport under Igesund continues their fine run, with eight games played, recording only one defeat while the rest have all been won comfortably. Amazing to think that this was the same side that was hovering in midtable under previous coach Cavin Johnson. Igesund believes that they had a game-plan that just came to the party on the day, and heaped praise on all of his players. #Sanele_K
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 10:55:58 +0000
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