Orlando Pirates Coach Ruud Krol Missing Benson Mhlongo And Lucas Thwala

Mhlongo and Thwala have been missing in action due to injury with the former out for the rest of the season.

“Lucas and Benson are key players that we cannot replace with ease and so when they are out we feel their absence. These are quality players that we are missing a lot in our team. Before they got injured they were playing such an important role in our team so much so that they had become the backbone but now they are not there,” bemoaned Krol.

The Dutchman says it is a pity that the side could not take advantage at the weekend in the Moroka Swallows game to close the gap between them and SuperSport who were held to a goalless draw earlier in the day.

“The gap remains nine points and it is a pity that we couldn’t cut it down to seven which would have put us in a better position in enhancing our chances of going for the League.

“But in this crazy season anything is possible especially with so many games to be played within such a short period of time. If we can win all our games before the break, things can be completely different to what they are now.

“Look with regards to the game (against Moroka Swallows) I am not happy at all that we only managed to come out with a point. I mean when we are creating so many chances and not winning a match I can never be happy.

“Of course it was a pity that we fell a goal down two minutes into the match but after that we created five consecutive chances but couldn’t score one. Well, its all part of football,” said Krol, according to Kickoff.com.

With the next opponent in the compressed fixture programme being Jomo Cosmos on Wednesday night Krol said they must keep their hunt for points on.

“Pirates is a club that must always take the initiative in every game and so that is just what we will have to do against Cosmos. But first we have to review the situation in our squad regarding injuries and suspensions ahead of the next game. All the same our target is maximum points,” said Krol.