Sibisi says Orlando Pirates must hit title-winning heights again in new season opener

Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi insists the squad is ready to defend their Betway Premiership crown but warns the champions must immediately rediscover last season’s trophy-winning standards when they kick off the new campaign this weekend.

The Soweto club begin their league title defence at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday against top-flight newcomers Milford FC, with anticipation high after a year in which Pirates lifted three trophies, including the Premiership.

Speaking at the club’s media open day at Rand Stadium on Tuesday, Sibisi admitted preparations had been compressed but believes the work done in pre-season has been sufficient.

“I think we, as players, are prepared. Pre-season has been quite short this time around, but I believe we’ve covered everything that needed to be covered,” he said.

He underlined that recent warm-up fixtures were treated primarily as an opportunity to refine tactics and combinations rather than chase results.

“The preparation matches weren’t really about the results. They were about finding the right combinations, seeing what works and what doesn’t, and continuing to improve while helping the new players settle into the squad.”

Time needed for new signings and youngsters

Pirates have refreshed their squad ahead of the new campaign, and Sibisi said the early signs from the integration of new arrivals and emerging youngsters have been positive. However, he cautioned against expecting immediate fireworks from every player.

“As I’ve said before, I think that process is going very well. The coach has also made it clear that we shouldn’t rush some of the players because it won’t always be the case that you have a Rele (Relebohile Mofokeng), a (Mbekezeli) Mbokazi, or a Mohau (Nkota) who immediately hit the ground running. Some players simply need time to adapt.”

Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Mohau Nkota all made swift impressions after stepping up to the first team, but Sibisi stressed that such rapid impact is the exception rather than the norm.

The defender believes senior figures in the dressing room carry a responsibility to shield new and younger players from excessive pressure while they adjust to the demands at one of South Africa’s biggest clubs.

Rising expectations after treble-winning season

Sibisi acknowledged that playing for Pirates comes with heavy scrutiny, and said last season’s silverware has only intensified the expectations from the stands.

“Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a two-way street because we know our supporters always expect us to deliver. I think the standard has been set by the three trophies we’ve won, including the league title. Anything less than that would be seen as a failure for us.”

“So, we have to maintain those standards. As players, we have to help the coach implement what he wants to do while also helping the younger players integrate into the group.”

New era under Abdeslam Ouaddou

This season marks a fresh chapter for the Buccaneers under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, and Sibisi’s comments reflect the balancing act the club faces: sustaining a culture of winning while giving recent signings and academy products the breathing space to grow into their roles.

With Pirates opening at home against a Milford FC side stepping into the Betway Premiership for the first time, the champions will be expected to set an immediate marker. For Sibisi, that means aligning quickly with Ouaddou’s methods, protecting the high bar set by last year’s treble and ensuring that the next wave of talent is given the support and patience required to contribute over the course of the season.