Orlando Pirates captain Sibisi sets three-trophy target for new season

Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi “Bhodlela” Sibisi says the club will regard anything short of winning at least three trophies this season, including the league title, as a failure.

Pirates began their title defence with a 2-0 victory over newcomers Milford at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. Bafana Bafana players Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moreni scored the goals as the Sea Robbers made a winning start.

The Johannesburg club ended a 14-year wait for the league championship last season, while also lifting the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies. Sibisi believes those achievements have raised expectations within the squad.

“The tone has been set with the three titles we won last season, so anything shorter than that this season I think would be a failure for us. We have to keep the standard as high as it is,” Sibisi said.

Pirates used the opening match to introduce several of their new signings, including Neo Rapoo and Kabelo Kgositsile. Simphiwe Masilela, one of the club’s recently promoted DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) graduates, also made his professional debut.

Sibisi said the newcomers were settling into the squad successfully but stressed that they would need to be given time to adjust to senior football.

The captain pointed to the rapid progress made by DDC graduates Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Mohau Nkota, while warning that similar immediate breakthroughs could not be expected from every young player.

“The process of integrating the new players into the squad is coming along very well. The coach has also said that we should not rush some of the players because it won’t always be the case that we have a Rele, a Mbokazi and a Mohau that just get going as soon as they touch the ball,” he said.

“Some of these players need time. Unfortunately for them it’s a bit of a two-way street because we know that our supporters always want us to deliver.”

Pirates will return to cup action in their next match when they face Durban City in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

That game will be played at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.