Beating Orlando Pirates in the Telkom Knockout fixture would be a great morale-booster for his troops before their crucial league match against Mamelodi Sundowns, Chippa United coach Eric Tinkler says.
The Chilli Boys play Pirates in the first round of the knockout competition at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday (8.15pm).
Chippa have had a turbulent start to their Absa Premiership season, having managed to bag only eight points from eight matches so far.
They are 11th on the log with two wins, two draws and four defeats.
Tinkler is positive that a win against his former team could put Chippa in the right place when they face the Brazilians at East London’s Sisa Dukashe Stadium in a week’s time.
“The players are looking forward to the game,” he said.
“We have a few boys that have played for Pirates and want to settle one or two grudges that they may have but what is more important for us is we want to win games, because that is what builds the confidence and the morale leading up to Sundowns.
“Will it be the end of the world if we are knocked out? No. Are we under pressure?
“No, they are, because noone expects us to go there and win. We have nothing to lose but we have everything to gain.
“With a win we’ll have morale and confidence going into the Sundowns game, which is a very important league match for us.
“That is how you want to go into that game.”
Tinkler said he would not make many changes to Chippa’s style of play.
They would still play the brand of football the team are known for.
“It’s the brand of football that I also enjoy.
“It’s just about wanting to give it direction and that is what is important, to create chances and scoring goals because that is what wins you games,” he said.
“We are a possession-based team with lots of talented and tactical players.
“Now it’s just about giving them direction and showing them the importance of utilising that skill and technique they have to benefit the team and win football matches.
“When you are playing a big club like Orlando Pirates, I know that the players don’t need much motivation for that.
“Usually coaches have to spend a lot of time motivating the players, especially when it comes to the so-called “smaller teams”, but you know that they are going to apply themselves in the same manner against Pirates,” Tinkler said.
“Pirates are a quick and fast team. They play on the transition, they have a lot of speed and pace, and obviously we need to be wary of that.”
He said there were many exBuccaneers players in his squad who knew the club well and were familiar with the coach, and they would use that to their advantage.
“I know they are going to be motivated, but what is important is that they go there and perform for the team and not for themselves.”