Marumo Gallants Goalkeeper Washington Arubi: ‘We’ll Treat Pirates Like Any Other Team’

Marumo Gallants FC goalkeeper Washington Arubi has emphasized that his team will approach the Telkom Knockout cup final against Orlando Pirates with the same focus and intensity as any other match. The two sides will clash on December 6 at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Limpopo after Gallants and Pirates secured their spots with semi-final wins over Golden Arrows and Richards Bay FC, respectively.

Speaking to KickOff, Arubi reflected on Gallants’ dramatic semi-final victory. “Yesterday’s game was tough for both teams. I think everyone who watched enjoyed it; it was challenging for everyone, which is why it went to 120 minutes,” he said. He praised his teammates for their mental and physical toughness during the extended match and highlighted the successful penalty shootout, calling it a testament to their composure under pressure.

Arubi stressed that the team is currently prioritizing their league commitments before turning full attention to the final. “For now, we’re not focusing too much on the final; we managed to get past this semi-final hurdle. We still have two to three games before we face Pirates. Thinking too much about Orlando Pirates will unsettle us when it comes to our league matches. We will just approach the game with a clear mind.”

He reiterated the importance of staying grounded despite facing one of South Africa’s most prominent clubs. “If we focus too much on the size of Orlando Pirates, we might forget about ourselves. The final will be a different game since we’ve faced them before, and I know they also want to meet us again soon. We will play to win. It’s every player’s dream to reach the final,” Arubi added.

Gallants’ disciplined and focused approach underlines their intent to compete on equal terms with Pirates. Arubi’s remarks suggest a team confident in its abilities and determined to treat the Telkom Knockout final as the culmination of preparation, mental toughness, and tactical execution rather than a spectacle defined by the stature of their opponents.