No hangover for Pirates ahead of Carling Cup showdown |

Orlando Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki says Orlando Pirates are fully fueled from their MTN8 Cup triumph and ready to make amends against Kaizer Chiefs in Saturday’s 2022 Carling l Cup.

Pirates and Chiefs face off at FNB Stadium on November 12, a fortnight after the latter beat their arch-foes 1-0. This was in the first instalment of the Soweto derby.

PIRATES OUT TO REVENGE

“It’s a huge game, as we all know, the supporters have voted. We thank them that they didn’t play the players out of position,” Xoki said.

“So we are looking forward to the game. Preparations are going on well, and we are looking to avenge the loss we suffered two weeks ago.”

Pirates rebounded from the derby defeat to lift the MTN8 title after beating Amazulu 1-0 on Saturday in Durban. The trophy triumph handed new coach Jose Riveiro his first silverware.

Xoki said the triumph is just what the doctor ordered ahead of what is befittingly their final game before the long FIFA World Cup break.

“We just looked at the game and saw where we went wrong and fix the places where we know we went wrong. We will try and play our normal game and do the good things that we do,” Xoki said. 

“It’s just one of those games that we need to fix where we went wrong. We do know where we went wrong. So we just have to go with this game and try and correct that.”

The pressure is on Pirates heading into Saturday to avenge that loss by winning the Carling Cup trophy. Their rivals have had the luxury of a fortnight to recharge since their derby victory.   

NO VICTORY HANGOVER

But Xoki said Pirates isn’t heading into the Carling Cup with a victory hangover. “Once you start training, the victory is finished, and the celebrations are done,” Xoki said.

“We had our chance to celebrate over the weekend, and we did so. Now the focus goes to this coming weekend.

“We can’t really be thinking about last weekend we have a chance now to do what we did last weekend.

“We would love to do it again. It’s been a great feeling, and we want to continue with that great feeling.”

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