Pirates look to jump-start title defence

Midfielder Isaac Chansa is hoping a win over Ajax Cape Town on Wednesday can reignite Orlando Pirates’ Premier Soccer League campaign.

Chansa, who played a key role in Pirates’ 3–1 victory over Golden Arrows in last weekend’s Telkom Knockout Cup semi-final, said both teams will be under immense pressure for maximum points because of their inconsistent performances so far this season.

While both teams are on 15 points after 11 matches, eighth placed Pirates are a place above Ajax because of a better goal aggregate.

Speaking to KickOff.com, Chansa advised his team-mates to forget about their victory over Arrows and focus on grabbing all the three points on Wednesday.

“We played over the weekend so the fitness levels are still quite high for a number of players,” Chansa said.

“We have been training well and the coach knows that we do not need a lot of motivation when playing against teams like Ajax.”

“The match will be a potentially explosive encounter. Both Pirates and Ajax are big clubs in South Africa so it is good for football because it is the fans who will benefit from the action. We know that Ajax will come hard at us.”

“Like Ajax, we find ourselves in the middle of the table so it is important that we win this match.”

“We have not been consistent in our matches and we have to rectify this. It is a home match so we have to make our supporters happy.”

Chansa said while he is happy his side have qualified for the final of the Telkom Knockout Cup, the defence of the club’s league title is also very important to him.

“Yes, I am happy that we are in the final of the Telkom Knockout Cup but for now we have to be level headed and forget about that success because this one is not a Cup game,” said Chansa.