Truter: “I am worried, I’m stressed”

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Richards Bay FC coach Brandon Truter says he is “worried and stressed” ahead of their  Betway Premiership clash against Orlando Pirates, due to the unavailability of key players and facing a fresh Pirates side at Orlando Stadium.

The Natal Rich Boyz will travel to Orlando  Stadium on Tuesday night, for the second Betway Premiership meeting between the two clubs this season. Pirates edged Truters’ men by a goal to nil at the King Zwelithini Stadium in the first round, courtesy of a Kabelo Dlamini free kick.

Richards Bay head into this match after a bruising 120 minutes of football against Cape Town City in the Carling Knockout, where the KZN side triumphed 5-4 in the penalty shootout after a goalless 90 minutes and extratime. The Natal Rich boyz will do battle without key players after losing  Langelihle Mhlongo, who picked up a red card in the City match. Yanela Mbuthuma is still serving suspension after seeing red against Sekhukhune United in their previous league encounter. The club is also sweating on the fitness of defender Keegan Allan who hobbled off injured in the City match with a suspected concussion.

Pirates are in red hot form heading into this clash, as they sit top of the table with six wins out of six, three points ahead of defending champion Mamelodi Sundowns. The Bucaneers will be looking to complete their first league double of the season, having enjoyed six days of rest as they didn’t feature in the Carling Knockout matches on the weekend.

“I am worried, I’m stressed. Pirates didn’t play this weekend or midweek so they are fresh,” said Truter speaking to the media.

“We are going to Orlando as well it’s a difficult place to go to especially when the ghosts (fans) fill the stadium. So we very mindful about that. We have some concern in Keenan Allan, he is going to a scan as we speaking, it might be concussion. Then we lost Langa as well with a red card.”

Picture: Backpagepix