Josef Zinnbauer says that he felt Orlando Pirates would win the Soweto derby after seeing the intent in the players before the game.
Zinnbauer was speaking after Pirates 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
The German coach said the experienced players who have played in a lot of derbies helped guide the newer players.
Zinnbauer says the derby is always a special game, but he felt that they would win it after seeing how motivated the players were.
Thembinkosi Lorch and Siphesihle Ndlovu scored Pirates goals, while Daniel Cardoso pulled a goal back for Chiefs.
“The players, we have players that have a lot of derbies in the past against Kaizer Chiefs, and they know what’s happened. I think these players are important for us, like Happy and Nyauza today, they have a lot of playing against Kaizer Chiefs and this is the things what you need, experience in this time,” Zinnbauer said in the post match presser.
“We have also new players on the field, not their first game but the first league [derby], but this and they needed to hear the stories, so all the players knew what had happened before, and they fight for three points.
“It’s a special game and I said it before the game on the TV that I saw in the eyes of the players that they were ready for three points.”
Before turning their attention to the Nedbank Cup, Pirates will face Golden Arrows in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.