Kjell hopes for smooth sailing after breaking ice

ORLANDO Pirates have that elusive first league win under new coach Kjell Jonevret.

They have had two victories in a row‚ and now they have something to build on, said Jonevret after his side’s 2-0 Absa Premiership victory against Maritzburg United on Tuesday night.

Jonevret admitted there are plenty of kinks to iron out and that it was by no means a full-flowing victory‚ following on Saturday night’s 4-1 Nedbank Cup defeat of Free State Stars in Orkney.

Fadlu Davids’ neatly organised‚ hungry Maritzburg might have felt they deserved a little more from the game at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night‚ even though they were eventually reduced to 10 men with the dismissals of Brian Onyango [63rd minute] and Deolin Mekoa (83rd].

But Jonevret added quite openly: “I do not care”.

“I think the game on Saturday against Free State took a lot of energy both down here [in the body] but I think also up here [in the mind]‚” the coach said.

“Because the players I think felt that they really wanted to win that one.

“It was a good atmosphere up there in the camp. We won 4-1 in a good game‚ and it took a lot of energy mentally.

“So I was bit worried when the game started here. But then it was‚ of course‚ really nice to score from a corner – it’s something I’ve talked about since I’ve arrived here.

“So it was nice. And then we could relax a little bit.

“But I think we were a little bit lucky in the first half. I think they play smart.

“In the second half of course we should have scored directly [through Tendai Ndoro] from that counter-attack. And then it would have been 2-0 and we could have played a bit.

“I think two red cards‚ of course‚ helped us a little bit.

“But in the end‚ I don’t care that we missed a few chances‚ I don’t care that maybe not everything looks perfect.

“We won tonight‚ clean sheet‚ three points – that was the absolutely most important.”

Ayanda Gcaba headed Pirates ahead in the 13th minute‚ with Dove Wome adding the killer blow in the 79th.

Pirates ended a run of 12 league matches without a win. Jonevret earned his much-needed first league win after five games.

The coach might have felt Pirates never quite hit full stride against Maritzburg‚ but Bucs did the simple things well‚ and their improved structure in defence has been notable.

Pirates are in ninth place and will have greater confidence of a top eight finish following their back-to-back cup and league victories. — TMG