Mthetheleli Mthiyane says Orlando Pirates wins bring happiness to supporters

Orlando Pirates midfielder Mthetheleli Mthiyane says the club’s players understand the responsibility that comes with winning, after his Man of the Match display helped secure a 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United.

The Buccaneers maintained their perfect home-winning record by beating Babina Noko at Orlando Amstel Arena, with Boitumelo Radiopane and Oswin Appollis scoring the goals.

Mthiyane controlled the game from midfield and was rewarded with the individual award, despite having had limited opportunities since joining Pirates from Stellenbosch before the start of the new season.

The 25-year-old said the result was particularly important because Pirates had already beaten Sekhukhune away in the MTN8. He added that the home side needed to make the most of their advantage in front of their supporters.

“This game was very important, especially because we had been able to win against them away [in the MTN8], so at home, we had to tighten our grip and make our fans happy and everyone that watches Pirates,” Mthiyane told the club’s media after the match.

Pirates’ strong start at home has now been matched by their position in the Betway Premiership, where Tuesday’s victory strengthened their place at the top of the table.

They have collected three wins and one draw from their opening four league matches.

Mthiyane also stressed that the players must maintain their focus despite facing the same opponents again so soon. Pirates and Sekhukhune will meet for a third consecutive time on Saturday, when they contest the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final.

The midfielder said every match carries the same importance when representing the Johannesburg club, regardless of how often the opposition has already been encountered.

“It’s just about understanding that when you play for Pirates, even if you play the same person 10 times, every game is important, every game is a final,” Mthiyane added.

The repeated fixture creates an additional tactical challenge, with both teams gaining a clearer understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses after each encounter. Mthiyane believes that makes it necessary for Pirates to keep improving rather than relying on previous results.

“It’s even harder when you play against the same team, because in every game, they analyse you and try to figure out where they can catch you. So it becomes even harder, and you just have to improve with each game.”

Pirates will therefore approach Saturday’s semi-final second leg with the confidence of another victory over Sekhukhune, while also knowing that their opponents will have had further opportunity to study their approach.

For Mthiyane, the latest win was about more than maintaining Pirates’ unbeaten league start or protecting their home record. He described the need to deliver for the club’s supporters as a central part of the team’s responsibility whenever they play at Orlando Amstel Arena.

“We know that when Pirates win, many people are happy, so when we play at home, we have to make sure at home, especially at home.”