Former Bafana Bafana defender, Matthew Booth, has warned Orlando Pirates not to underestimate Baroka FC, when the two sides meet in a Telkom Knock Out final, in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night.
The current Absa Premiership log leaders are firm favourites to beat the 14th placed Limpopo based side.
Booth knows what he is talking about, as he had a long and distinguished career at home and abroad. He has won this competition with Mamelodi Sundowns almost 20 years ago, when it was still known as the Rothmans Cup.
He says Baroka impressed him when they beat the defending champions, Bidvest Wits in the semi-final two weeks ago.
According to Booth, Baroka have a well organised defence and speedy players.
“I will go for the underdog. I think Baroka will take it, Pirates will start as favourites, Baroka will take it. I just feel from the counter attack point of view Baroka are good, Mabeba is a good free kick taker, like Patosi or Klate. I will give it one nil to Baroka.”
Former Pirates striker, Jerry Skhosana, who is in Port Elizabeth together with Booth to market the match disagrees with his colleague.
“You got a team like Pirates that want to win a trophy, this is the trophy they have won it twice or once before. They will be coming here guns blazing, try all sort of things. They went to Africa with a fringe team. The team that is going to play on Saturday did not travel to Seychelles. I think Pirates will take this one. I will give it to Pirates 2-1.”
The Pirates trophy cabinet has been empty for the past four years, the last time they were crowned champions was in 2014 when they won the Nedbank Cup under their Serbian coach Vladislav Vermezovic. Coincidentally the current side is guided by another Serb, Milutin Sredejovic. Sredejovic, who is in his second spell as Pirates coach, would certainly like to emulate his countryman.
Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch are some of the danger men in this strong Orlando Pirates line up. Baroka, who are coached by former Zambian international, Wedson Nyirenda are searching for their first Premier Soccer League silverware.
Nyirenda who also played for Kaizer Chiefs and Hellenic in the 90’s has turned Baroka into a formidable side. The pace of mid-fielder, Talent Chawapiwa is likely to cause problems or Pirates defence. The match will start off at six o’clock.
