Johannesburg, South Africa — ABSA Premier Soccer League (PSL) league leaders Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol has tipped Zambia's 2011 Orange CAF Confederations Cup envoys Nchanga Rangers for success in the competition.
Krol, whose 'Buccaneers' side lost 2-0 to Nchanga in a friendly on Monday at Johannesburg Stadium, said the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) sponsored side had the potential to succeed at the highest level.
"They are good side. They have young players with a potential to succeed. Credit to the Nchanga Rangers," said Krol, who set up a full training session immediately after the match, obviously with Saturday's clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on his mind.
He could, however, not be drawn in predicting whether the Chingola side would come out of the clash against St Eloi Lupopo unscathed, saying he did not know match about the Congolese side.
"I don't know much about that team but from what have seen of Nchanga, they are capable of beating any team," said the maverick coach as he carpeted his players in his fiery manner as if they had just lost a cup final.
The sometimes temperamental mentor was even seen waving an imaginary card during the match each time any of his players was fouled showing how desperate for a win their fourth match was, having gone without a win after three draws and Monday's loss, notwithstanding that it was not a competitive match.
Despite the praise, Krol lavished on Nchanga, their own demanding coach Bruce Mwape was less than amused with their showing, saying the strikers were wasteful and the midfield did not close down Pirates.
Mwape said his top man Mathews Macha should have killed off the fixture as any contest within the first half but bemoaned the agile link play from George Chilfya who was playing just ahead of the defence.
"We lost possession cheaply especially in the opening 10 to 20 minutes. The link play between the backline and the midfield was a bit disorganised. We didn't do well enough to cut their supply lines,"
Even as difficult as he is to impress, Mwape still drew some positives from the match saying beating Pirates was like defeating a national team because the team is comprised internationals.
After a rather dull hour of football, the match burst into life in its last quarter with Floyd Phiri in the 68th minute before Lewis Macha doubled the advantage with an easy tap-in from substitute Bornwell Mwape's cross.
Today, Nchanga's clash with Amatuks at the Pretoria University High Performance Centre (HPC) grounds which the two teams have shared since the Zambian side arrived here last Thursday night.
Like Pirates, who had Isaac Chansa in their starting line-up, Amatuks, coach by former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker, have some Zambian interest in form of former Green Buffaloes defender Lawrence Phiri and junior international Constantinou Iaonou.
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