‘We have to set a good tone': Pirates captain Sibisi ahead of league opener against Sekhukhune
Sibisi was part of the team that finished as runners-up to Mamelodi Sundowns in the past three seasons, but has warned that being "obsessed" about wresting the league title from the Brazilians could be their undoing.
Everyone seems to agree the squad Pirates have assembled for the 2025-2026 campaign is the strongest they've had in years, and in new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou the Buccaneers may have found someone who can do better than his predecessor Jose Riveiro.
Talking to media ahead of their opening league fixture against Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm), Sibisi insisted every player at Pirates is aware of the need to win the league title but pleaded with everyone not to put unnecessary pressure on them.
"For us the league title is in the back of our heads, but we don't want to overwhelm ourselves and look ahead of ourselves," said Sibisi. "We know the league only starts on Saturday against Sekhukhune.
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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Ouaddou conceded that they had a poor day at the office, although he insisted not all is lost, as the league is not won overnight. 'The chance that we have in football is to play again quickly and aim for victory in the next game,' Ouaddou stated during his post-match press conference in Orlando. 'The league is a marathon; many games remain to be played. We started badly, but we'll get some rest and quickly get back to business.' Pirates' loss to Babina Noko saw them fail to capitalise on Mamelodi Sundowns' slip earlier in the day, as the defending champions drew 1-1 with Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Ouaddou took a different perspective on the defeat, crediting the league for becoming increasingly competitive. Pirates Defeated in League Season Opener ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) August 9, 2025 'This result means that every season the league is getting better and tougher,' he reasoned. 'The teams are preparing and organising themselves well. My analysis of the result is that there are no more small teams in the league.' Pirates looked well-prepared and ready to compete across competitions when they brushed aside Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final at Orlando a fortnight ago. The new signings — including Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, and Oswin Appollis — hardly looked out of place in that game, driving Pirates en route to the semi-final. Ouaddou still believes in the players at his disposal and in the team's set-up, but acknowledges there is ample room for improvement going forward. Bradley Grobler drives Sekhukhune United forward against Orlando Pirates on Saturday night. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media 'It doesn't give me a different picture of my team or my boys. We have quality, but there's a lot of work to do, especially when you have many new players,' said Ouaddou. 'Of course, there's still a lot of work to be done. I still believe in the players we have — there's quality within the team. It's only the beginning of the season, so we'll regroup and bounce back.' Ouaddou added that they must quickly get their league campaign up and running, especially with the quick turnaround of matches in the coming weeks. 'It's part of football. We knew that we might have some close games in the schedule from the start of the season,' he explained. 'We need to assess player availability. We have many players, so rotation will be important when you have that many games in a short space of time.' Pirates' next match will be away to Marumo Gallants at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night (7.30pm kick-off). The clash will mark a homecoming for Ouaddou, who began his PSL coaching career at Gallants last season. The 46-year-old is not making the game about himself, but rather about the team's need to secure three points against a side that won their opening fixture of the season. 'I have seen their result, so congratulations to them. But it's not only important for me — it's important for our team to go there and get the result,' Ouaddou said. 'When you lose the first game at home, you definitely need to get points away to stay in the title race.'
