Seema praises Pirates’ unity after dominant Chippa victory

Orlando Pirates defender Lebone Seema says the team’s commitment to a shared game plan was central to their 3-0 victory over Chippa United, a result that moved the Buccaneers to the top of the Betway Premiership.

Seema was named Man of the Match after producing an outstanding defensive display at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday and adding Pirates’ second goal with a second-half header.

The right-footed centre-back, who is the reigning Betway Premiership Defender of the Season, helped Orlando Pirates control the match at the back before making his mark in the opposition penalty area.

Rather than take sole credit for his performance, Seema highlighted the collective effort behind the emphatic win. He said the players had followed the instructions prepared during training and maintained the approach that has brought them success.

“We came to the game with one ambition, which was to win. We carried on playing like we used to play, we did what we prepared in training, and we came to the match and got three goals, then we won,” Seema said.

The victory lifted Orlando Pirates to the summit of the Betway Premiership log table. Their performance was also backed by a large and vocal away support, with the travelling fans creating an atmosphere that Seema believes gave the players added confidence.

“We thank our supporters for coming in numbers to the stadium; it’s something that we appreciate and always beg for,” the defender added.

“They came in numbers, chanting my name and also chanting teammates’ names. It’s something that gives us the confidence and spirit to keep on pushing.”

The result extended a positive day for the Buccaneers, while Seema’s individual contribution reinforced his reputation as one of the leading defenders in the competition. His clean work in defence, combined with the headed goal, earned him the match award after Pirates’ convincing performance against Chippa United.

The focus now turns away from league football and towards the MTN8, with Orlando Pirates preparing for the semi-final stage of the competition.

The Buccaneers will play Sekhukhune United in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final on Saturday. The match will take place at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.

Orlando Pirates will enter that fixture after a result that not only secured three league points but also placed them at the top of the Betway Premiership table. Seema’s display against Chippa United, meanwhile, was capped by a goal and supported by the team’s disciplined execution of its plan.