Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula says the club’s senior players can guide their younger team-mates to victory against Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s MTN8 final.
The match at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban kicks off at 18:00, with Pirates aiming to win the trophy for a fifth consecutive season.
Makhaula, 36, has not played since the start of the campaign but remains an influential dressing-room figure. He said Pirates’ work ethic had convinced him they could claim another trophy.
“I am sensing a win because the guys have really showed up with the work rate. I am sensing us lifting the trophy,” he said.
Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is relying on experienced players to help guide a group that includes Nkosikhona Ndaba, Sbangani Zulu, Thapelo Mokobodi, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Simphiwe Selepe, Kabelo Kgositsile and Simphiwe Masilela.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, defenders Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki and Deon Hotto, and midfielders Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Kabelo Dlamini are among those expected to provide leadership.
Although the Pirates squad has changed since last season’s triumph, Makhaula said new arrivals quickly learn the club’s expectation that every competition should be targeted.
“The management knows how to recruit the right players. With the right senior players and mentality, we are able to help the new guys by showing them what this badge means,” he said.
“Our slogan is to win everything. We want to win every game and the good thing is that the new guys are hungry. They come from different clubs, and luck was not there but here there is always luck. You just have to work hard and everything will follow.”
Pirates are also competing on several fronts this season after Ouaddou’s first campaign at the club brought a historic treble and their first Betway Premiership title since the legendary back-to-back treble in 2011/12.
Makhaula believes the club’s large squad will help them cope with a demanding schedule.
“We have a big squad and you can see we are always competing. Some of us haven’t played and we are waiting for a chance,” he said.
“I think [having a big squad] is going to help us, given our schedule is a bit busy. I think we can manage that with the squad we have and the experience we have.”
Makhaula also revealed he had considered retiring after Pirates won the league last season, before chair Irvin Khoza persuaded him to remain for another campaign.
“All thanks to my chairman who said, ‘You still have the legs,’ and asked me to go one more season. It is really exciting to go to another final with a different group of players and hopefully we will win it.”
Sundowns will arrive with confidence after beating Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli to win the Fifa Intercontinental Cup last month. Pirates ended their eight-season Premiership title run last term, but Sundowns responded by winning their second Caf Champions League title, following their 2016 success.
Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso has several established internationals available, including Ronwen Williams, Thapelo Morena, Grant Kekana, Marcelo Allende, Tashreeq Matthews, Nuno Santos, Themba Zwane, Brayan Leon and Arthur Sales.
Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas suffered knocks while on national duty with Bafana Bafana last week, and their availability for the final remains uncertain.
