Defender Thapelo Xoki says Orlando Pirates have to look at improving themselves before they can rival Mamelodi Sundowns for the league title, insisting change won’t come over night.
Xoki, who arrived from AmaZulu during the off season, is drawing confidence that they are the last club to have defeated Sundowns, crushing them in the second leg of the semi-final of the MTN8 before going on to lift the cup against his former side in October.
When Pirates thumped Sundowns, it triggered the Tshwane giants to reshuffle their technical team and appoint Rulani Mokwena to be the sole head coach.
After Pirates beat Sundowns many thought they could close the gap and also rival the Brazilians in the league but it didn’t. Mokwena has turned Sundowns into a machine, going 21 matches unbeaten in all competitions, winning 12 of the 13 league matches in charge.
When SuperSport United drew with Chippa United on Saturday, it meant Sundowns were crowned champions for the sixth successive season as their lead was unassailable with seven games to spare, the earliest title win in Premier Soccer League history .
Pirates, meanwhile, climbed into second spot after defeating Richards Bay, also on Saturday, to jump ahead of SuperSport, who dropped points on Sunday, and Xoki insisted that they will be better next season, in what would be the second season with their coach Jose Riveiro.
“We know the process that we are going through,” said Xoki, who scored a winning penalty when they beat SuperSport before the international break.
“We also have a new technical staff and we know it’s not going to happen overnight, it’s going to take time to build a process.”
Pirates have won four games on the spin in all competitions, and are through to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, making positive strides under Riveiro.
“We are happy with some of the progress we have made. We know we could have done better in most cases, especially in the first round,” added Xoki.
“But we can’t beat ourselves over it, we have to make sure that we try and finish the season strong, play what is left to play for, and build towards having a strong start next season.
“We know who we are competing against – a well-assembled team, it took time for them to also get there. But they are a well-oiled machine and we have to try bit by bit but it’s going to take time.
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“We know where we can improve and we are looking to improve in many aspects.”
Next up for Pirates is Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (17:30). Chippa and Sundowns are the only clubs who have defeated Pirates at Orlando Stadium this campaign, and Pirates will be looking for revenge having lost to them in the first round.
