“They Adapted Quickly” – Makhaula Breaks Down Pirates’ Secret Weapon For Sundowns Clash

Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula says he has no concerns about the team’s new players, revealing that they have adapted quickly ahead of the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The defending champions will look to retain their title when they face the African champions at the sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Pirates head into the crucial clash with a blend of young players and new arrivals following the departure of several key starters to other clubs.

However, Makhaula is not worried about the changes within the squad, insisting that the new players have settled in much quicker than expected ahead of the highly anticipated encounter.

“I think that the boys that they have brought in are really mature,” said Makhaula.

“They have adapted quickly. We obviously thought that they wouldn’t adapt, but as the senior players, we help them so that they can adapt. The players that we’ve brought in are players who have been playing in the PSL, and they know the league, so obviously it was easy for them to adapt.

“For us as senior guys, it was about teaching them the culture of the team and how we want them to adapt to the philosophy.”

Makhaula further explained that, as one of the senior players in the Buccaneers squad, his role ahead of the crucial encounter will be to help calm the new arrivals and guide them on how to handle the pressure that comes with playing in such a high-profile fixture.

“For me, I think what I need to do is to calm them,” said Makhaula, who is currently working on his fitness and has missed most of the games in the 2026/27 season.

“For me, it’s just to tell them how to behave on the field of play and how to handle the pressure because it’s 11 against 11. There is no difference if you apply whatever the coach has said you must do on game day.”