These were strong words by club chairman Dr Irvin Khoza at yesterday’s media brief.
Firstly, the team will announce new coach by next Monday.
“A 6-1 loss against SuperSport United in November- by a club of the stature of Orlando Pirates is unacceptable‚” Khoza said.
“For that to be followed by a 6-0 loss [against Sundowns] is rubbing salt into a wound.
“This [yesterday] afternoon we’ll be meeting with the technical team to get to the bottom of the problem. There is no denying there is a problem.
“It is not an easy task to find a coach for a team of the stature of Orlando Pirates FC.
“When we find a coach, the pressure on them is enormous. This is the reason why when we lose a coach‚ we look to an insider in an attempt at stability‚ until a replacement is found,” he said.
“It has worked in the past. It is proving to be a challenge this time around.
“Unfortunately‚ the candidate identified‚ who we were going to announce by the end of January‚ is under contract at another team and has a buyout clause for the next five months‚ which is prohibitive.
“What I can guarantee is that by next week Monday‚ because of what has happened‚ we will be announcing a new coach.”
Secondly, Khoza has assured fans that his club would cooperate fully with the law to see that the perpetrators of Saturday’s violence at the PSL match against Downs at the Loftus Versfeld stadium were brought to justice.
“Violence has no place in our football.
“No matter how strong we feel‚ no matter how aggrieved we are‚ when we engage in violence it defeats the legitimacy of our grievances.
“I pronounce here today that the club’s unequivocal clear‚ plain and unambiguous position is for the law to take its course,” he said.
“I commit that this matter will receive the highest priority in accordance with the law, “said the somber Khoza.
Thirdly, the “Iron Duke” will have one-on-one meetings with the players’.
Bucs face another problem in the form of marauding Wits’ on Wednesday in the Absa Premier League.
Currently, Pirates are perched 10th on the log.
Meanwhile, PSL issued a statement on weekend’s incident.
“The Premier Soccer League strongly condemns acts of hooliganism by some of the fans at the Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates Absa Premiership fixture at Loftus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.”
“The League apologises to all the supporters and stakeholders – those we were at the stadium and also those watching on television – who were inconvenienced by what happened.
“Such behaviour at our stadiums is bad advert for our football.
“The match had to be stopped on the 82nd minute by the referee to clear the pitch.
“Following a meeting between the VOC Commander, the Match Commissioner and the two clubs, and after carefully assessing the situation, a decision was taken to resume play from the 82nd minute.
“The Premier Soccer League is awaiting reports from various stakeholders on what transpired on Saturday afternoon.”
