'The next one is in the Arena, we know what we need to do and we are taking it one game at a time,' said the Pirates veteran.
Deon Hotto says Orlando Pirates are taking it step-by-step as they play Sekhukhune United again on Tuesday evening.
Orlando Pirates’ MTN8 goalscorer Deon Hotto says the team are taking it step-by-step as they prepare to face Sekhukhune United again on Tuesday evening in the Betway Premiership at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
Pirates draw first blood
The Buccaneers beat Babina Noko 1-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal, with Deon Hotto’s thunderbolt sealing the victory.
Pirates will take on Sekhukhune in the second leg of their semifinal on Saturday, but before that a twist of fate sees the two sides also meet in the Premiership.
“Facing the same team in three matches in a week is crazy,” Hotto told Pirates media after Saturday’s game.
“But we came here today and did the job. The next one is in the Arena, we know what we need to do and we are taking it one game at a time.”
The 35-year-old Namibian believes Pirates coped well with the smaller pitch at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
“It was a difficult game, they brought us to a small pitch because they wanted to squeeze us,” he said.
“But at the end of the day we have a very good technical team, we exploited the space we wanted. I got my first goal (of the season) … and I am grateful, I thank the man above and the support from my teammates and the technical staff.”
Pirates forward Oswin Appollis, meanwhile, believes returning to Orlando for the next two games against Sekhukhune can help Pirates.
Appollis – ‘There is still room for improvement’
“It was very important to get the victory today,” he told Pirates media.
“At home it is always nice to have the home fans there, they are always supporting us and we must just focus on the next two games.
“There is still room for improvement but overall we have to be happy to get the victory.
“We have two days to prepare and see what we can do better, and take it from there and continue working.”
Pirates may well have to continue to do without Patrick Maswanganyi. ‘Tito’, according to SABC Sport, is close to sealing a move to an unnamed team in Bahrain.
New Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen, however, could feature after making his Buccaneers debut on Saturday in Polokwane.
