by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu

Sekhukhune United coach Cedric Kaze says football supporters are in for a bonus as his side prepares to face Orlando Pirates three times in the space of a week.

Sekhukhune will host Pirates in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday, before the two sides meet again in the return leg and in league action.

Speaking at the MTN headquarters in Johannesburg, Kaze said the busy schedule would be exciting for fans but challenging for both teams, especially with Pirates coming into the tie as four-time defending champions.

“I think it’s a very big week for us, playing the same team three times. Sometimes we play twice, but maybe the football fans have got a bonus as well — three times in one week. It is very important to manage the three games well. Starting on Saturday, in the first leg, we are playing against the defending champions, not once, not twice, but four times in a row, which means we know how big the mountain is that we need to climb. But we are preparing ourselves and we want to compete,” Kaze told the media.

The former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach said Sekhukhune must be at their best from the first whistle if they are to compete with Pirates.

“Starting on Saturday, for the first leg, we need to be at our best. We need to show our intentions. We need to have our mind and our plan clear. That’s what is going to take us through the first game, then we can prepare for the second game,” Kaze concluded.

The first leg will be played at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.