Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus says there will be a ‘different outcome’ in the Soweto Derby on Saturday as they face Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semi-final.
The stage is set for the biggest game in the South African football calendar and Amakhosi come into the clash with a run of five consecutive wins against their fierce rivals.
While they hold a favourable record, Pirates come into the tie with an MTN8 trophy under their belt this season and are seemingly on course to secure a place in the CAF Champions League as the league runners-up, creating a positive atmosphere around the squad.
“Well just not to have any lapses of concentration, not to have those, that’s it – I think on both games we were the better team, we created the better chances and I think if we didn’t have those lapses of concentration like we won’t have [on Saturday], it will be a different outcome,” Erasmus said about the ‘lessons’ learned in the back-to-back defeats this season.
“The past few games, we’ve shown we’re a team who can create goals, create chances, it was unfortunate [against Royal AM] we couldn’t covert all those chances created, but it’s proven we do create many chances in games, and it won’t be any different in the Derby.
“We’re looking forward to the game and hope we’ll just be a bit composed in front of the goal and convert them.”
On being a more senior player upon his second stint at the club, with several derbies under his belt, Erasmus says the message to his teammates is straight forward.
“Focus on the plan that’s being prepared, execute it to the best of your ability, if you stick to that and implement your own creativity as a player and just be free you know, don’t be afraid of the occasion and not playing the occasion, play the game,” he explained.
“So for me, it’s just making sure the players understand that, and having that would be a great execution to the plan.”
Chiefs and Pirate face off at the Calabash on Saturday afternoon at 15h00.
Source Link Erasmus Confident Pirates Will End Chiefs Soweto Derby Winning Run
