Sibisi: We’re Ready To Defend What’s Ours
Orlando Pirates’ newly appointed captain, Nkosinathi Sibisi, is confident that his team is ready to kick-start the 2025/26 season with a bang.
The Buccaneers face Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarterfinal at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (15:00), and Sibisi believes the team has laid a solid foundation during the preseason.
“We have to lay the foundation, and that foundation has been laid now during the preseason,” Sibisi said.
“We have new players alongside a new coach, fresh ideas, and also renewed energy from the ‘if we can do what we did last season – and why not do that this season as guys to say, well?’”
The Buccaneers made history last season by winning the MTN8 Cup for the third consecutive time under the guidance of Spanish coach Jose Riveiro.
Now, they are aiming to win it for the fourth time in a row under the Moroccan mentor Abdeslam Ouaddou. Sibisi believes that the team has the quality and depth to achieve this goal.
“I think we’ve added quality players in every position, so for us it’s just to work hard and start the MTN8 and set the tone,” he said.
“For us, we want every cup, and when we play, we’re playing to win it, whether it’s league, Nedbank Cup, Carling Knockout Cup, or even CAF Champions League as well.”
Sibisi emphasized that playing for a team like Pirates comes with a lot of pressure and expectation to win.
“Whenever you sign to a team like Pirates, you’re obligated to win such, and I think with the quality that we have, we should be getting at least closer and closing that gap,” he said.
“And with the ideas that the coach has, it will be a very good and interesting season.”
The Buccaneers have had a successful run in the MTN8, with the last defeat coming against Moroka Swallows in the 2021/22 season in the first round.
Sibisi is determined to lead the team to a fourth consecutive title.
“Winning it three times in a row, you know, you get the feeling, we want to do it for the fourth time now,” the former Golden Arrows captain added.
“This is a feeling we don’t want to lose, and for us, it’s just to defend what’s ours and be in the history book of the club.
“So, for us, I think the game on Saturday will be a good test for us since coming from the preseason.”
