As the new season approaches, Orlando Pirates’ players Thabiso Monyane, Deon Hotto, and Makhehlene Makhaula have shared their thoughts on what lies ahead.
The trio spoke candidly about their ambitions and the improvements they’re aiming to make.
Under coach Jose Riveiro, the Buccaneers have consistently finished as runners-up for the past two seasons.
Despite this, they’ve managed to capture four cup titles in that same period.
With Mamelodi Sundowns dominating the league for seven consecutive seasons, Orlando Pirates are determined to break this streak and claim the top spot.
Recently, Monyane, Hotto, and Makhaula discussed their plans at the launch of the 2024/25 jersey, following their pre-season training in Spain.
They all emphasized that winning the league is their primary goal for the upcoming season.
Monyane pointed out that the team has struggled with slow starts in previous seasons.
He stressed the need to correct this pattern and begin the season with a strong performance.
Makhaula echoed this sentiment, underlining the importance of hitting the ground running to build momentum early on.
Reflecting on past challenges, Monyane admitted that a slow start has been a recurring issue.
“One of our weaknesses last season was starting the season slowly,” he said.
“We’re aiming to fix that this year by starting strong right from the beginning. That’s why we focused on this aspect during pre-season.”
Makhehlene Makhaula
Makhaula showed confidence in the team’s potential, citing their impressive 2-0 win over Sevilla as evidence of their ability to compete against top teams.
However, he stressed that consistent performance across all matches is crucial.
“The league isn’t won by just beating the likes of Chiefs or Sundowns,” he explained.
“It’s the smaller teams that often prove to be the toughest opponents, especially since they tend to be extra motivated when playing against big teams.”
Deon Hotto
Hotto highlighted the internal pressure the team feels, driven by their commitment to securing the title for themselves, their supporters, and the chairman.
“Consistency is key for us,” he noted.
“We need to start the season well. In the past, we haven’t always started strong, but we’ve finished well.
This season, we need to change that and maintain a high level throughout.”
Looking Forward
As Orlando Pirates prepare for the new season, the players are focused on addressing past shortcomings and pushing for consistency.
With their sights set firmly on the league title, the upcoming season promises to be an exciting challenge for the team.
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