Orlando Pirates must match SuperSport United’s motivation - Jacobs

Orlando Pirates players: Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates media.

Orlando Pirates FC’s head performance analyst Rayaan Jacobs says the Buccaneers must match SuperSport United’s motivation to win Tuesday’s Betway Premiership encounter.

He was speaking ahead of the match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, as Pirates seek to narrow the gap to champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Andre Arendse’s side hope to move further away from the drop zone.

Jacobs told Pirates website that he expects Matsatsantsa to fight for their lives amid a lingering relegation threat.

“We have to match SuperSport's motivation tomorrow, and that is the bottom line. They will come out fighting; every encounter against them is tough,” he said.

“They are physical in the duels, so we have to compete. We are on opposite ends of the table, but we have to go into the game believing there is a possibility to increase our points on the table and ensure we don’t make it easy for them.”

He added: “SuperSport are going to be highly motivated to compete with us. They always do whenever we face them. It is a tough encounter. We know what to face. It is a big, strong team. They are physical. They don’t give away in the duels. We have to match SuperSport.

They will come fighting; every encounter against SuperSport is physical. We have to defend and be competitive.”

Pirates want to finish the season on a high as they have three games in hand, lying 17 points behind Sundowns. Mandla Ncikazi is taking temporary charge of the Soweto giants following Jose Riveiro’s premature exit from the club.

In the opposite camp for SuperSport, Bafana Bafana legend Arendse is holding fort following the dismissal of Gavin Hunt some weeks ago. The Pretoria-based side are positioned third from the bottom of the table.