Orlando Pirates’ powerful defender, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, credits teamwork for the club’s narrow 1-0 victory over Siwelele in their latest Betway Premiership match at Toyota Stadium on Tuesday.

While Mbokazi was crucial in defense, he emphasized that it was the collective effort that led the Pirates to overcome their opponents and secure the three points.

Mbokazi’s Defiant Performance in Tough Match

With Pirates struggling to break down the Siwelele defense, Mbokazi made sure that his team stayed resilient at the back. “If we couldn’t get a goal, we were determined to ensure that Siwelele couldn’t score either,” said the Pirates vice-captain.

The tough defensive strategy worked as the Soweto Giants stayed organized and avoided any defensive lapses, even as the game became more tense in the final stages.

Impact Players Shine as Pirates Clinch Three Points

As the match wore on, it was Orlando Pirates’ bench players who provided the necessary spark, with coach Abdelsam Ouaddou referring to them as the “impact players.” Oswin Appollis made the difference in the 80th minute, capitalizing on a chance to fire past Siwelele goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and secure the lead for Pirates.

The win, Pirates’ seventh consecutive victory across all competitions, propelled them to 4th place in the Betway Premiership standings, with 12 points after six matches.

Mbokazi Highlights Team Effort in Victory Over Siwelele

Mbokazi, speaking to Pirates Media, was quick to acknowledge that his strong performance was only possible because of his teammates. “I can’t play well without my teammates,” he said. “It helped to work together at the back. We knew that if we couldn’t get a goal at the top, we were going to make sure that Siwelele didn’t get anything either.”

The central defender praised the unity and tactical discipline of the entire backline, stating that the focus on collective effort, rather than individual achievements, played a major role in their success.

Pirates’ Tactical Approach Pays Off in the End

Mbokazi also touched on the team’s strategy in the game, which was largely shaped by a focus on working as a unit. “It was hard to get a goal,” admitted Mbokazi. “But we played with long balls wide, and by going direct, we were able to create the opportunity for Appollis to score.”

The tactical approach paid off as Appollis’ goal helped the team clinch a vital win and keep their momentum going.

Looking Ahead: Orlando Pirates Prepare for CAF Champions League Showdown

With the victory over Siwelele now in the rearview, Orlando Pirates are already turning their attention to their next challenge — the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round against Lesotho’s Lioli FC. Pirates are in a strong position, having won 3-0 in the first leg at Bloemfontein this past weekend.

As they prepare to host Lioli at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, the team will aim to build on their current form and secure a spot in the next round of the prestigious continental competition.