Siyabonga Sangweni is overjoyed by Orlando Pirates’ success of last season, saying coach Jose Riveiro created a happy environment, reminiscing of the past when he was at the Soweto giants.
But he insisted Pirates’ ultimate goal after winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup this past season, must be to win the league.
Sangweni previously criticised the shopping and changing at Pirates under co-coaching duo of Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids in 2022, saying it created a lot of clashes between the two, which resulted in the ever changing starting line-up and a lack of stability and trust.
“Of course the main goal is to be number one by winning the league,” said Sangweni, who was part of the side that won the treble in the 2011/12 season.
“If you look at what happened in 2022 and this past season, it is a big difference [as Pirates finished sixth on the log in the 2021/22 season].
“I have said it before, if we can keep the core of the team and don’t change the 90 percent of the starting line-up, then the team will be strong.”
Towards the end of the season, Riveiro had build a trust in his preferred line-up, which involved the likes of Kermit Erasmus, Monnapule Saleng, Thembinkosi Lorch, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Kabelo Dlamini, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sipho Chaine, Paseka Mako and Tapelo Xoki.
The stability resulted in a great run without defeat since losing the Soweto Derby to Kaizer Chiefs on 25 February.
“With this done, I said we can win two cups and how we are going to win them, I don’t know but we have to win them,” added Sangweni.
“It happened and I’m thrilled. Now I hope when the league starts, they shouldn’t be far off from number one and immediately challenge for the number one spot.
“I think our coach showed that he can challenge Mamelodi Sundowns. He was able to beat Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final, why can’t [he] do the same this coming season?
“We have to close the gap since we are going to be playing in Africa in the CAF Champions League. I want these boys to grow and make their own mark at the club.”
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The former Golden Arrows defender was part of the Pirates team that won the treble in 2011/12, having featured alongside players like Benni McCarthy, Moneeb Josephs, Lucky Lekgwathi, Rooi Mahamutsa, Isaac Chansa and Daine Klate, who when the chips were down, rallied the team the team to glory.
This coming season, Pirates will feature in five competitions, after finishing second in the league to qualify for the Champions League. There will be an introduction of the Carling Knockout Cup ,which was previously known as the Telkom Knockout and was last played in 2019.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
