Khoza throws a daring challenge to Pirates after MTN8 success – ‘Job is always to improve Bucs’ history’

Orlando Pirates have been challenged to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns from the Premier Soccer League crown after their recent MTN8 success.

On Saturday, the Sea Robbers defeated Stellenbosch 3-0 to win their fourth consecutive MTN8 crown, a feat that is unprecedented in South Africa. Immediate former Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro had won three titles before leaving, and his successor, Abdeslam Ouadoou, managed to add another one.

It was Bucs' sixth title across all competitions in the last four years; however, none is in the Premier Soccer league. The Soweto giants have finished second in the last three editions, behind Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won the last eight crowns in a row.

Bucs Director Mpume Khoza sees no reason why Pirates can't go all the way to win the South African top tier this season.

‘Our job is to improve Sea Robbers' history'

“What is most important is to thank our supporters, because they’re the 12th man who keeps us going,” he said in his recent interview on SuperSport TV.

“Obviously, you know, for the team, the coaches, and the players—all of them put in the hard work. When we went on preseason, which our chairman [Irvin Khoza] initially took, it was as if it was a shot in the dark, but he invested in it, and we are thankful that it pays off in tournaments like this. We hope that when we go on to the league, our things will have time to settle and come together.

“I think, as our chairman has already said to us, that our job is always to improve the history of Orlando Pirates

“I think the players who have come in, the young captain in Mbekezeli Mbokazi, having a fourth title in a row, is a testament to improving the history of the club, which is what we’re about,” Khoza concluded.