Ertugral fears Pirates’ mental fragility ahead of Derby

MUHSIN Ertugral is concerned about the state of mind Orlando Pirates will be in when they take on Kaizer Chiefs in Saturday’s Soweto Derby.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

While he believes the Buccaneers are the stronger of the two sides, the man who has previously coached both of the country’s most supported clubs fears the title-chasers could be psychologically compromised.

Ertugral believes the CAF Champions League semi-final defeat by Pyramids will have taken a significant toll on Pirates.

“Psychologically, Pirates have an issue after what happened at the weekend," said Ertugral.

"We all would have liked for them to reach the final, and they would have believed they could as well. But now, the question is: how do they recover from that blow?

“So, I believe the emotional state Pirates will be in — after failing to reach the Champions League final — is going to be a huge factor in the derby.”

Unbeaten throughout the continent’s premier club knockout competition, Pirates were favourites to reach the final against the upstart Egyptian side.

But their failure to protect a lead —not once, but twice — proved their undoing, as they eventually lost 3-2.