Cape Town - Orlando Pirates head coach Vladimir Vermezovic believes that his side have rediscovered their spirit following their 2-1 victory over SuperSport United on Sunday.
The Buccaneers have played just once since the death of captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa in late October, with Vermezovic's troops going down 2-0 to Matsatsantsa in the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout.
That defeat came after an indifferent run of league form that saw Pirates suffer losses to Mpumalanga Black Aces and Chippa United, with a win over Free State Stars sandwiched in between.
That string of results saw the Sea Robbers drop further off the pace set by Kaizer Chiefs, but having returned to winning ways against SuperSport this past weekend, Vermezovic believes his side are in a strong position heading into a busy run of fixtures.
"First half we created opportunities but we played without confidence, it's not usual for our guys, but second half they came out full of confidence to win and hard work, and they got the goal in stoppage time," Vermezovic after the weekend's clash.
"They [SuperSport] are a good team, with an excellent coach.
"That's the spirit that we had in the first half of the season but after the first FIFA break we lost it, and fortunately now it came back and we have a lot of games in one month, eight games, it's going to be a very tough schedule but we are professionals, we like playing so often.
"But tonight we are going to celebrate because they deserve it and from tomorrow we are going to start of preparations for the next game."
The three points garnered on Sunday saw Pirates rise to fourth in the Premiership standings, 12 points behind the Glamour Boys.
The Buccaneers have played just once since the death of captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa in late October, with Vermezovic's troops going down 2-0 to Matsatsantsa in the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout.
That defeat came after an indifferent run of league form that saw Pirates suffer losses to Mpumalanga Black Aces and Chippa United, with a win over Free State Stars sandwiched in between.
That string of results saw the Sea Robbers drop further off the pace set by Kaizer Chiefs, but having returned to winning ways against SuperSport this past weekend, Vermezovic believes his side are in a strong position heading into a busy run of fixtures.
"First half we created opportunities but we played without confidence, it's not usual for our guys, but second half they came out full of confidence to win and hard work, and they got the goal in stoppage time," Vermezovic after the weekend's clash.
"They [SuperSport] are a good team, with an excellent coach.
"That's the spirit that we had in the first half of the season but after the first FIFA break we lost it, and fortunately now it came back and we have a lot of games in one month, eight games, it's going to be a very tough schedule but we are professionals, we like playing so often.
"But tonight we are going to celebrate because they deserve it and from tomorrow we are going to start of preparations for the next game."
The three points garnered on Sunday saw Pirates rise to fourth in the Premiership standings, 12 points behind the Glamour Boys.