Richards Bay FC coach Brandon Truter admits to sleepless nights ahead of a tough Betway Premiership match against fresh and unbeaten Orlando Pirates.
The Natal Rich Boyz visit the strong sailing Buccaneers at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday at 19:30.
The top-of-the-table Pirates remain the only unbeaten side in the league, with six victories from as many outings.
Truter and Bay have already faced Jose Riveiro’s Pirates this season and the men from KwaZulu-Natal came second in the battle where the Soweto giants scored late to win 1-0 in Durban.
Truter said Pirates have had more time to prepare for the match as they haven’t played for almost a week.
Meanwhile, the Natal Rich Boyz played 120 minutes in a Carling Knockout quarter-final match against Cape Town City in Durban on Saturday.
“I’m worried, I’m stressed. Pirates didn’t play this weekend, they are fresh,” Truter said after the Carling penalty-shootout victory.
“We are going to Orlando, it’s a difficult place to go to, especially when the ghosts fill the stadium. We are very mindful about that,” he said.
“We have some (injury concern), Keegan Allan is going for a scan as we speak and might be concussed and Langelihle Mhlongo got a red card as well.
“We are not a big squad, and we rely on the DDC (DStv Diski Challenge) boys, so hats off to Msomi, who keeps on producing these boys.
“Going to Orlando, you need your best players to manage that and your experienced players to control if the youngsters are playing,” Truter said.
While Richards Bay have done well in the Carling, they haven’t performed so well in the league.
After six matches, Truter’s side has managed a single win, two draws and three defeats.
The coach said with their run in the Cup, they have developed massive trust and belief, which he reckons would be key against a formidable Pirates.
“(Playing) 120 minutes was not what we wanted because of our game (on Tuesday) with Pirates. That’s the worrying factor, but right now there’s a lot of trust and there’s a lot of belief as well in the team with the way they are talking,” Truter said.
“And from my side as well, we keep on ticking the boxes. (Fielding) five DDC boys is not an easy task against a team such as Cape Town City. I’m happy with the performances.”
