Menzi Magubane
Orlando Pirates stand-in captain Thulani ‘Tyson’ Hlatshwayo believes lifting the MTN8 trophy will help Buccaneers gain the momentum they need to win more trophies this season.
Pirates face Bloemfontein Celtic in the final of MTN8 Wafa Wafa at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban at 6pm on Saturday.
Hlatshwayo, Vincent Pule, Gabadinho Mhango, Ben Motswari and Thabang Monare are the only players at Pirates who in recent years tasted victory in the cup finals – all of them while they were with Bidvest Wits.
They won the Absa Premiership title in the 2016/17 season and the Telkom Knockout in 2017 beating Celtic. Before winning the league title they began their 2016/17 bid by crushing Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 to win the MTN8 trophy.
Talking from his experience with Wits, Hlatshwayo believes that winning on Saturday will lead to major successes during the season.
“Winning the MTN8 is what we want,’’ said Hlatshwayo.
The Bucs trophy-drought has lasted more than six years. They won the Nedbank Cup in May 2014 when they beat Wits 3-1 when Hlatshwayo was still playing for Ajax Cape Town.
Now playing for the team he supported as a child, Hlatshwayo said he wanted to win trophies with Pirates. Saturday’s final has presented him with a perfect opportunity to start realising his dream.
“Joining the team I grew up supporting as a youngster from Soweto is already an achievement. I have come to Pirates to succeed. When I was young I wanted to play for this team and win cups. I feel I have the opportunity to take the first step now by winning the MTN8,” said Hlatshwayo who is also the Bafana Bafana skipper.
Picture source: @Mtn8wafawafa
