Pirates not fazed to meet former coach
Katutura giants Orlando Pirates are not intimidated by the fact that they will face Tigers in Round 14 of the Namibia Premier League (NPL) at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tomorrow.
The Buccaneers lost coach Woody Jacobs to rival team Tigers under harsh circumstances after he fell out with the management over the running of the troubled club.
He claimed the club management undervalued and did not appreciate his contribution to the team. However, the players are focused on collecting points when they face the team. Pirates captain Innocent Tembo said they were not fazed or demoralised by Jacobs's exit and would continue to focus on the team and the matches ahead. The team is currently without a coach but is under the interim stewardship of assistant coach Ivan Namaseb, who said they were ready for the match.
“We are without Woody but we know his tactics but at the end of the day it's about the players and how they approach the match. Tigers and Pirates are both big clubs and do not need any motivation on the field. We are going in to win the match.” He said he had three to four injured players but they were being attended to and would hopefully be ready for tomorrow's match. Jacobs, who sits with a club threatened by relegation, said he expected a grudge match full of fireworks.
“I saw a lot of positive things in the last two matches that the team played against Civics and African Stars. I expect nothing but the best from the players.”
He said the Pirates team might know his tactics but he was leading a different team with different players.
“Every team responds differently and the players have been responding in the manner which I like. It won't be easier, not that I like easy things anyway because it bores me,” he said.
He further said that he respected his former team and the players and had built great relationships with them. In Tuesday's match African Stars beat Tigers 1-0.
Full fixtures for the weekend
Saturday
Unam vs Chief Santos Unam Sport Stadium 15:00
Eleven Arrows vs Civics
Kuisebmond Stadium 15:00
Blue Waters vs African Stars Kuisebmond Stadium 17:00
Citizens vs Young Chiefs Sam Nujoma 17:00
Sunday
UNAM vs Young Chiefs Unam Sport Stadium 15:00
Blue Waters vs Civics 13:00 Kuisebmund Stadium 13:00
Eleven Arrows vs African Stars Kuisebmund Stadium15:00
Citizens vs Chief Santos Sam Nujoma Stadium 15:00
Tigers vs Life Fighters Sam Nujoma Stadium 17:00
Tura Magic vs Orlando Pirates Sam Nujoma Stadium 19:00
Mighty Gunners vs Young African Mokati Stadium 15:00
Rundu Chiefs vs Black Africa Rundu Sport Stadium 15:00
He claimed the club management undervalued and did not appreciate his contribution to the team. However, the players are focused on collecting points when they face the team. Pirates captain Innocent Tembo said they were not fazed or demoralised by Jacobs's exit and would continue to focus on the team and the matches ahead. The team is currently without a coach but is under the interim stewardship of assistant coach Ivan Namaseb, who said they were ready for the match.
“We are without Woody but we know his tactics but at the end of the day it's about the players and how they approach the match. Tigers and Pirates are both big clubs and do not need any motivation on the field. We are going in to win the match.” He said he had three to four injured players but they were being attended to and would hopefully be ready for tomorrow's match. Jacobs, who sits with a club threatened by relegation, said he expected a grudge match full of fireworks.
“I saw a lot of positive things in the last two matches that the team played against Civics and African Stars. I expect nothing but the best from the players.”
He said the Pirates team might know his tactics but he was leading a different team with different players.
“Every team responds differently and the players have been responding in the manner which I like. It won't be easier, not that I like easy things anyway because it bores me,” he said.
He further said that he respected his former team and the players and had built great relationships with them. In Tuesday's match African Stars beat Tigers 1-0.
Full fixtures for the weekend
Saturday
Unam vs Chief Santos Unam Sport Stadium 15:00
Eleven Arrows vs Civics
Kuisebmond Stadium 15:00
Blue Waters vs African Stars Kuisebmond Stadium 17:00
Citizens vs Young Chiefs Sam Nujoma 17:00
Sunday
UNAM vs Young Chiefs Unam Sport Stadium 15:00
Blue Waters vs Civics 13:00 Kuisebmund Stadium 13:00
Eleven Arrows vs African Stars Kuisebmund Stadium15:00
Citizens vs Chief Santos Sam Nujoma Stadium 15:00
Tigers vs Life Fighters Sam Nujoma Stadium 17:00
Tura Magic vs Orlando Pirates Sam Nujoma Stadium 19:00
Mighty Gunners vs Young African Mokati Stadium 15:00
Rundu Chiefs vs Black Africa Rundu Sport Stadium 15:00
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