Pirates aim to top Sundowns

By Michael Madyira

Orlando Pirates have a chance of ending the season with more pieces of silverware than Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Buccaneers collide with Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday in what is an opportunity for Jose Riveiro’s charges to add another trophy to the MTN8 they claimed earlier in the season.

Sundowns have already completed their season with just the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title to show for their huge investment in the transfer market.

Just six weeks ago, the Brazilians appeared on course for a treble but their season crumbled after elimination from the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Champions League.

But it is Pirates who could now finish the campaign with more cups — that is after returning to the Champions League, winning the MTN8 and now possibly South Africa’s elite knockout competition.

Midfielder Miguel Timm is aware of the potential in the Buccaneers squad but refuses to concede they could achieve more than Masandawana this season.

“I’m not saying I’m not happy with reaching two Cup finals, but we have the capacity to do more,” Timm told the media.

“None of us compares ourselves to them [Sundowns]. We are just focusing on our own journey. We have never compared ourselves to see how far we are from the log leaders, the champions.”

As Pirates hunt for the Nedbank Cup, this is a trophy Timm is familiar with after winning it in 2021 while still at Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.

The central midfielder refuses to regard himself as a lucky charm for Pirates ahead of Saturday’s match.

“I don’t believe in luck. I think it should be the efforts of this group and not me bringing luck,” said Timm.

“What I can say is that when I came here, I arrived with a winning mentality even though I came from a small organisation.

“I think I just joined a bunch of players and a technical team that wants to win and a football institution that deserves to win.”

Pirates last won the Nedbank Cup in 2014 while Sekhukhune is yet to bag any piece of silverware in the top-flight league.

Pictured above: Orlando Pirates players celebrating 

Image source: Orlando Pirates 

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