Xoki: Pirates’ Experience Crucial for Nedbank Cup Final Win
Thapelo Xoki, a defender for Orlando Pirates, is optimistic that their experiences from challenging matches against strong teams like Al Ahly, MC Alger, and Mamelodi Sundowns will be essential for managing emotions in the Nedbank Cup final.
The Pirates are preparing to take on Kaizer Chiefs in the Ke Yona Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium this Saturday at 15:30.
They approach this derby with an advantage, having confronted tough competition throughout the season and achieving a league double over the Chiefs.
Notably, Pirates also accomplished a league double over Chiefs last season, a feat last achieved during Ruud Krol’s time at the club. Their recent league win against Chiefs underscores their dominance in this rivalry.
Unlike Chiefs, the Buccaneers have faced a challenging season, which included an impressive away victory against Al Ahly in Cairo during the CAF Champions League, along with wins over CR Belouizdad and MC Alger in Algeria.
This season marks their return to the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2018/19 season. They topped their group and secured a crucial win against Sundowns, who are set to compete in the Champions League final this season.
Additionally, Pirates captured the MTN8 title in October by defeating Stellenbosch at the Durban venue, marking their third consecutive triumph in the “Wafa Wafa” Cup.
Conversely, Chiefs have shown inconsistent domestic form and may miss out on a top-eight finish for the second consecutive year.
Xoki emphasizes that Pirates’ experiences in high-stakes matches, unlike the current situation of the Chiefs, have been instrumental in enhancing their skill set.
“Winning critical games provides us with valuable experience as a unit,” Xoki stated.
“We have many young players in our squad, and they’ve recently faced this type of competition.
“This experience prepares them and the whole club on how to approach these matches, what to expect, and how to perform on the day.
“Everyone understands what is required of them. We don’t need to motivate anyone for this game; everyone is aware of the task ahead.
“Thus, that experience is beneficial for these types of clashes.”
While Pirates relinquished the Betway Premiership title to Sundowns—needing only four points from their remaining three games (if Pirates win all)—they advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, ultimately falling to Pyramids.
In their two-legged matchup against the Egyptian side, which is set to face Sundowns in the Champions League final, Pirates had chances to progress but were hampered by set-pieces. Set-piece issues also arose in their recent league defeat to Sekhukhune United at home, impacting their pursuit of Sundowns in the league race.
“Indeed, we have conceded goals from set-pieces, but that doesn’t lessen the effort put in this season,” Xoki acknowledged.
“Aside from the recent matches, we have been one of the best defensive teams against set-pieces. We must now focus on the finer details and correct minor issues. We recognize that we have conceded in crucial matches, but we will revert to what has worked for us throughout the season.”
