Thulani Hlatshwayo Sets His Eyes on MTN 8 Success!
The Orlando Pirates defender will play in his first cup finals since joining the club. He is expected to captain the side at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Thulani Hlatshwayo Sets His Eyes on MTN 8 Success! He is already the official vice-captain of Orlando Pirates.
He is honoured to participate in a cup final in his short time at the club.
“It’s a huge honour to be in this situation where one can contribute to the rich history of the Club,” Hlatshwayo told the club website.
“It’s my first season here and we are already in a cup final.”
The Buccaneers take on Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN 8 final this evening. Hlatshwayo says that his team needs to respect Celtic.
Especially when considering that they have knocked out Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United on their road to the final.
“There are no longer any big teams in the PSL, and Celtic is a team we should respect because they’ve already been in a final – against Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup.
“They’re capable of reaching finals. For us, having had the run that we’ve had, we have to make sure that we finish the job.”
Orlando Pirates are the huge favourites of this tie. Especially because the two teams have already played each other in the DSTV Premiership this season.
Pirates won this game at the Dr Molemeli Stadium. Substitute Siphelele Ndlovu scored the winner.
Thus, Hlatshwayo says that this pressure is just part of the game. Especially at a big club like Orlando Pirates.
“Pressure is pressure. It’s something that is there in life. Take, for instance, a person who sits at home and cannot feed their family, there is pressure to make sure that their kids go to school.
“For us, we are fortunate that we’re doing what we love, which is football. It’s for us to make sure that we write our names in history books, and make sure that we win the cup.”
In what would be an unusual final with no fans, Hlatshwayo urges the Orlando Pirates faithful to support the team.
“Obviously, we would love to have them in the stands, because they have been supporting us by watching us on TV. Looking towards the final, they should just make sure that they keep us in their prayers as they watch us on TV and just rally behind us.”
Thulani Hlatshwayo Sets His Eyes on MTN 8 Success!
