sportskeeda
Thapelo Xoki, a defender for Orlando Pirates, asserts that their experiences in high-stakes matches against formidable teams like Al Ahly, MC Alger, and Mamelodi Sundowns will be essential for managing emotions in the Nedbank Cup final.
Pirates are preparing to face Kaizer Chiefs in the Ke Yona Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 15:30.
Entering this derby, they have a competitive edge, having battled tough opponents all season and secured a league double over the Chiefs.
Importantly, Pirates also achieved a league double over Chiefs last season, a feat last accomplished during Ruud Krol’s time at the club. Their recent league victory against Chiefs underscores their dominance in this rivalry.
In contrast, the Buccaneers have faced a challenging season, including a stunning away win against Al Ahly in Cairo during the CAF Champions League, alongside victories over CR Belouizdad and MC Alger in Algeria.
This season marked their return to the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2018/19 campaign. They topped their group and had a notable win against Sundowns, who are set to play in the Champions League final, earlier this season.
Additionally, Pirates clinched the MTN8 title in October, overcoming Stellenbosch at the Durban venue, marking their third consecutive “Wafa Wafa” Cup win.
In contrast, Chiefs have exhibited inconsistent domestic performances and risk falling short of a top-eight finish for the second consecutive year.
Xoki emphasizes that Pirates’ experiences in high-pressure matches, unlike the current situation for Chiefs, have been pivotal in gaining valuable experience.
“Winning crucial games provides us with important experience as a team,” Xoki remarked.
“We have many young players in our squad, and they’ve recently been exposed to these challenging matches.
“This experience helps them and the entire club prepare for these games, understand what to expect, and perform well on the day.
“Everyone knows what is expected from them. We don’t need to motivate anyone for this match; everyone understands the task at hand.
“So, having that experience is advantageous for these types of games.”
While Pirates conceded the Betway Premiership title chase to Sundowns, needing just four points from their remaining three matches (assuming Pirates win all of theirs), the Buccaneers reached the Champions League semi-finals, ultimately falling to Pyramids.
In their two-legged tie against the Egyptian team, who will face Sundowns in the Champions League final, Pirates had opportunities to progress but were ultimately hampered by set-piece situations. Issues with set-pieces were also evident in their recent league loss to Sekhukhune United at home, which hindered their chances of keeping pace with Sundowns in the league race.
“Certainly, we have conceded goals from set-pieces, but that doesn’t diminish the hard work that has gone into this season,” Xoki acknowledged.
“Apart from the last few matches, we have been one of the best defensive teams against set-pieces. We must now focus on the finer details and address the minor issues. We recognize that we have conceded in crucial matches, but we will revert to what has worked for us throughout the season.”
