Orlando Pirates striker Gabuza to work his socks off to impress Jonevret

Orlando Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza says it would be nice to welcome their new head coach Kjell Jonevret with a victory over Polokwane City on Saturday.

The Swedish tactician was announced as the new Bucs head coach on Monday replacing Augusto Palacios, who had been serving as the caretaker coach.

Jonevret's first league game in charge of Pirates will be against Polokwane City at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

"Against Cape Town City we showed a lot of character and that never-say-die spirit, and I'm fully optimistic that soon we will reclaim our mojo," Gabuza told Vodacom Soccer.

"Our upcoming game against Polokwane City will be the tough game, considering the fact that they are currently among the top six teams on the log standings, and are fighting to stay in the top eight," he added.

"But, the fact is that we need a win at their expense on Saturday's game. And with a new coach at the helm, of course it would be a nice feeling for us to notch that much-needed win," Gabuza continued.

"As you know, after Polokwane we will be up against our arch-rivals (Kaizer) Chiefs, which is why we need a win at all costs, because we need that morale-booster ahead of our Derby clash," he said.

Gabuza, who has struggled for form this season, stated that they have to work their socks off to impress Jonevret and his two assistants Harold Legodi and Benson Mhlongo.

"I'm a hard worker, and am more than prepared to fight for my place in the team's squad under a new coach," Gabuza stressed.

"What I like is that every player in the team, even the regular ones, will have to work their socks off to impress a new coach," he concluded.