Lafitte Cautiously Optimistic About Final Against Pirates

Marumo Gallants coach Alexandre Lafitte says he is excited but aware of the challenge that awaits his side in the Carling Knockout Cup final against Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Gallants face a rampant Pirates side who have already secured silverware this season, in the form of the MTN8.

“It is a great opportunity for the club, for the team, all the members of the team, and for that we are excited for Saturday, but at the moment we are focused and prepared for Saturday’s challenge,” said Lafitte.

The side from Bloemfontein have punched above their weight and raised a few eyebrows on their way to the final, as many fans and neutrals certainly did not count them as favorites at the beginning of the cup competition.

The former Stade Abidjan mentor’s approach can also be attributed to his side’s success, as he is relatively a new name to South African football, with most of the football fraternity, coaches in particular, still getting to grips with his game model.

Laffite’s side will certainly be hoping to lean on their experienced players in the final, with Phillip Ndlondlo and Katlego Otladisa having firsthand experience of winning silverware against this weekend’s opponents.

“If you want to win the cup, you need to win against all the big teams. We have eliminated Stellenbosch, Golden Arrows, and Sundowns. So, it is normal if you want to win the cup; we need to win against all the teams. It is a big challenge, Pirates are a very good team, very important in the country and in Africa, but at the moment we are concentrating on the final,” added the Frenchman.

With the 28-year-old admitting the size of the task facing his side, it remains to be seen whether they can cause an upset against the Sea Robbers.