Pirates target four trophies after MTN8 disappointment, says Sibisi

Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi “Bhodlela” Sibisi says the club are determined to compete for every remaining trophy this season after their failure to retain the MTN8.

The Buccaneers lost 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in last month’s final in Durban, but remain in contention to defend both the league title and the Carling Knockout.

They are also competing in the group stage of the Caf Champions League, while the Nedbank Cup will provide another opportunity to claim silverware later in the campaign.

“We can do quite a lot this season. We are gunning for everything. We fell short in the MTN8 [by losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the final in Durban last month], but there’s still plenty to play for,” Sibisi said.

Pirates’ next assignment is a Carling Knockout quarter-final against Sekhukhune United at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.

“There’s still the league and the Carling Knockout to defend, while we are also in the Champions League. Later on there’s the Nedbank Cup to win, so we are going for everything.”

Pirates have been drawn in Group C of the Champions League alongside Tanzania’s Simba, coached by South African tactician Steve Barker, Morocco’s RS Berkane and Cameroonian club Colombe Sportive.

Sibisi said the continental competition would provide a demanding measure of the team’s progress after Pirates fell short in each of the previous two seasons.

“In the Champions League, it’s a different ball game; it’s a level higher. It’s going to be a good test to see where we are as a team after falling short in the past two seasons,” he said.

The Pirates captain also praised coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s demanding approach, explaining that players who joined the club more recently would take time to understand his expectations.

“We’ve gotten used to working with the coach. For some of us who’ve been with him for the past season, it’s been easier for us to understand what he wants and what he demands,” Sibisi said.

“I think everyone who’s just come in will also learn and understand him, because he doesn’t demand good but he demands excellence… whenever we win 3-0 or 4-0, he is always adamant that we should have won 8-0 or 10-0. He’s a straight talker, so for us it’s just to take it in a positive manner.”

Carling Knockout quarter-finals

Saturday: Pirates v Sekhukhune United, Orlando Amstel Arena (3pm)

Sunday: Kaizer Chiefs v Siwelele, Peter Mokaba Stadium (3pm) Stellenbosch v AmaZulu, Danie Craven Stadium (6pm)

Caf Super Cup

Sunday: Mamelodi Sundowns v USM Alger, Loftus Versfeld (3pm)