Orlando Pirates’ Tapelo Xoki dismisses favourites tag ahead of MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki says the club will ignore the pressure surrounding Saturday’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns and treat it as a standalone match.

The two sides will meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 10 October, with Pirates seeking a fifth successive MTN8 title.

Pirates have been described as favourites after winning the competition for the past four years. The Buccaneers have also beaten Mamelodi Sundowns in their last two cup-final meetings.

However, Xoki believes those achievements will have no influence on the outcome of the latest final. The defender said Pirates would shut out the attention surrounding their record and concentrate on carrying out their plan during the match.

“What has worked for us is to always approach each final as that final. Not play the finals before. The finals we’ve played in the past are all in the past,” said Xoki.

“The results of the past are all history now. So, for us, it’s a game where you focus on what’s needed on the day. The coach and his technical staff will help us in terms of preparation and what to look out for.”

Xoki said the experience of Pirates’ senior players could prove valuable if the contest becomes difficult, but stressed that preparation alone would not decide the final.

“And then get the experience of when it’s tough in the game. You have the head guys, the guys who are used to the pressure. But other than that, it’s just playing the game and focussing on the game,” he added.

“Leave the outside noise but purely focus on the game on the day.”

The final represents another meeting between two of South Africa’s leading clubs, with Pirates attempting to extend their recent dominance of the MTN8 and Mamelodi Sundowns seeking to prevent them from claiming the trophy for a fifth consecutive time.