SIBISI CAUTIONS AGAINST COMPLACENCY
Orlando Pirates enter the new MTN8 campaign with the weight of history on their shoulders, but captain Nkosinathi Sibisi is wary of a potential silent killer in their title defence – complacency.
Over the past four seasons, South Africa’s top-eight crown has resided with the Soweto Giants, who have had the longest championship reign in the competition’s history. Extending their current streak is far from guaranteed however, as their first opponent in the upcoming campaign is a side that proved its own worth in knockout football when it ascended to the winners’ podium in the Nedbank Cup.
Recent history between the two sides also points towards a close battle to kick off this year’s campaign. They met as recently as three competitive fixtures ago when Pirates were almost close to the finish line in their pursuit of the league title. The result from that particular fixture was one that complicated what had appeared to be a canter towards glory, with the Durbanites proving quite stubborn in hanging on for a 0-0 draw.
The Buccaneers did have another shot at that particular title, one they utilized quite effectively to emerge as champions. However, cup football does not provide such lifelines, and Sibisi is wary of the threat posed by the men from the coast.
“It’s a competition we’ve become familiar with, and one we’ve enjoyed success in,” he said. “We’re looking forward to facing Durban City and starting another MTN8 campaign. Whenever we play Durban City, it’s always a game with consequences. We know the quality they have, and we’ve prepared well as a team.”
Sibisi also reflected on the clubs’ previous meeting, the stalemate at Orlando, where City nearly staged an upset after Pirates appeared to be in complete control.
“We saw what they did to us at E’sgodini last season,” Sibisi said. “We were cruising, but they almost spoiled the party. That alone tells us the kind of team we’re coming up against, so we have to be switched on from the first minute.”
Saturday’s fixture carries a bit of history, with it being the first-ever MTN8 clash between the two sides. They have previously met in other cup competitions, the most recent of which was the 2020/21 Nedbank Cup Round of 16 clash, where goals from Kabelo Dlamini, Deon Hotto and Vincent Pule helped the Soweto Giants to a come-from-behind 3-1 win against the KwaZulu-Natal outfit, then known as Maritzburg United.
They are now geared up to do battle in another do-or-die encounter, scheduled to kick off at 15:00 with a live broadcast on SuperSport PSL and SABC 1. Tickets to attend the fixture are available online on OpenTickets.
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