De Jong Targets League Title With Pirates

Orlando Pirates’ new signing Andre de Jong has opened up about his ambitions at the club, highlighting the importance of winning the Betway Premiership as his primary goal.

Pirates secured De Jong’s services from Stellenbosch during the January transfer window. The midfielder arrives with an impressive record, having scored 19 goals and provided 11 assists in 114 appearances for Stellies.

De Jong joined the Buccaneers after the club had already lifted the MTN8 title, defeating Stellenbosch in the final — a competition in which he featured for Stellies earlier in the campaign. Pirates have also gone on to claim the Carling Knockout Cup this season.

In addition, the Soweto giants are firmly in the title race, currently sitting top of the Betway Premiership standings with 28 points from 12 matches and holding the advantage of a game in hand.

The New Zealand-born midfielder said his main focus is helping the team secure the league title.

“Some of my personal goals will be to contribute to the team as much as possible,” said De Jong.

“I think obviously I would love to win the league, and I think everyone at the club would. So that is the big goal of mine, and also I would like to score and contribute goals going forward to bring in a nice play up in the final third.

“Also, work really hard off the ball. I think Pirates have a good pressing culture and defensive structure, and just to give my all whenever I play and contribute to the team winning.”

De Jong added that maintaining top spot during the break has given the squad an important advantage ahead of the second half of the season.

“I think it is a goal of everyone for the club to win the league this year,” De Jong added.

“I think it is a great opportunity to sit at the top of the log at the break now. So in these two weeks, we have been pushing really hard, getting our conditioning up.

“I mean, from outside, there are a lot of expectations from the fans. So hopefully we can this season.”

Pirates will resume their Betway Premiership campaign against Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 24 January.

The Soweto giants suffered a 1–0 defeat to Babina Noko in the reverse fixture at Orlando Stadium in August.