‘ORLANDO Pirates could have a nursery ship if they decide to resurrect it.’
These are the words of the coach of the Zimnyama team who are champions of the DStv Diski Challenge, Roscoe Krieling, who made history by lifting the trophy for the first time since the league was established in 2014. Pirates defeated Sundowns 2-0 in the last match of the season at Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto, at the weekend. It is expected that this team will play overseas, which is a trip that goes hand in hand with being the Disci champions. The Blacks stayed at the top of the log for 21 weeks. In previous years, Pirates were always at the top but were eventually relegated.
The Pirates are winning only in Diski, they don’t have a kindergarten anymore since it was closed years ago following allegations of falsifying the ages of the players. Discipleship players are scouted regularly before the start of the season. Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns are some of the teams that are playing with players who have been brought up in their nurseries.
Krieling, who was Thabo September’s deputy when they won the Diski league in 2023, praised the team’s work and preparations for the season.
“This is the result of planning things that were done before my arrival in the team. In my first week, I think there were 45 players that I tested. I was given a condition to assemble the team. I reduced it and I was left with 29 players, we signed two during the season and ended up with 31.
“When I was preparing for the start of the season, many of the players had never done that the way I did. They were surprised. We didn’t run but the ball worked a lot. I told them that you will remember that you were preparing for the season, you said we were the strongest team in this league. I can say that it was, we were the strongest of all the teams. The team can still grow. I think Pirates can form one of the strongest schools in Mzansi,” said Kriel.
“Whatever the team chooses to do. I work for the team and I would like to stay. As a coach, I want the challenge of coaching at the top level. But I can be patient. All I need is a break and a vacation, I have done a lot for the team.”