Palacios: Rantie is for the future
Orlando Pirates interim coach Augusto Palacios believes that Tokelo Rantie will become one of the best strikers in South Africa.
Rantie capped his first start for the Buccaneers with a brace to help his team to a 3-1 win over Free State Stars at Orlando Stadium yesterday.
He also took his tally to five goals this season having scored the other three coming on as a substitute.
Palacios says he is aware of the talent the striker has and that he will continue to partner him with another striker.
“This is the first match he played 90 minutes for Pirates and he scored two goals,” he says.
“I know what kind of a player at training he is. My philosophy is always to play two strikers. This is my philosophy all coaches have their own. I can change to a 4-5-1 in a game that we are leading or I need to control but me in particular I like the 4-4-2.
“Against Santos when we lost 3-0 I put him on late. I need to put in appropriate balance for the strikers. I can’t put Benni and Drogba together, both hold the ball. My combination was Benni holding the ball and releasing the ball and Rantie coming with speed.
“I watched this boy and as I said to you I am not scared to bring in young players. Why should I be scared? If I am scared then I shouldn’t be a coach. If previous coaches didn’t put him on then I can’t talk about it because it is not my concern,” Palacios adds.
Palacios was also pleased with his sides victory and the fact that they have now closed the gap to just two points between them and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
“One problem is that we play five games in 14 days. The fatigue is tremendous. For me today after the injury to Rooi I only had one (defensive) player on the bench Lizo with Sangweni and Andile suspended. Today to have these 11 playing was very difficult. We try to do our best.
“This League is very difficult but the players need to understand that this is part of the game. We need to be 100% professional. Imagine playing a Cup game for 120 minutes and then the League,” he says.
Despite the loss, Stars coach Steve Komphela believes his side still has a good chance to win the League title.
“I think it is still game on. We are 35 points; Sundowns are 42 because they drew. Mathematically it tells you that it is still game on. Pirates are on 40, they were 37 but 40 now. There is only five points separating us from them,” he says.
The Guardian 