“We wanted to be in this position,” said Xoki.
As Orlando Pirates continue their quadruple quest this season, captain Tapelo Xoki has revealed that they planned to still be in contention in three different competitions at this stage of the season.
Having already won the MTN8 earlier this season, the Buccaneers are in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Champions League. They’re also 12 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership standings with three games in hand.
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“We wanted to be in this position,” Xoki told the media during a post-match conference at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.
This was after Pirates reached the semifinals of the CAF Champions League following a 0-0 draw with the Algerian side in the second leg of the quarterfinal of the competition.
Pirates went through to the last four on a 1-0 aggregate, having won 1-0 away in the first leg.
Xoki admits that it was not easy for Pirates to achieve their target because of the travelling involved between games, but added that he was happy that they managed to do what they had planned to do.
“We are taking it on because it is something that we have always wanted. For us to still be in contention in three different competitions at this stage of the season speaks a lot about our group.
Pirates want ‘something’ for Riveiro
With Riveiro leaving the team at the end of the season, Xoki says they want to achieve something special to celebrate with him.
“We want to make sure that we continue being on the right path, create memories together, create history together, and have something special to celebrate with him in the last few months with the coach,” commented Xoki.
“We are proud of ourselves as a unit, and it means a lot to us to be where we are, but the job is not finished.
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“We have a semi-final coming up, we need to focus on the forthcoming games, and put our focus there.
“We want to make history and leave the club in a better state,” concluded Xoki.
Following their triumph over MC Alger, Pirates will now change their focus to their Nedbank Cup semifinal clash against Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
