"It wasn't a good season nor was it a bad one for Pirates" - Tebogo Moloi
By Neo Poho
Orlando Pirates legend Tebogo Moloi has revealed that the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season wasn't a good one nor was it a bad one for the Buccaneers.
Pirates are currently on the verge of qualifying for the CAF Champions League next season as they are heading into the last match of the DStv Premiership against AmaZulu on Saturday occupying the second spot on the log standings with 51 points.
Ahead of that last encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Moloi has reflected on the season Pirates has had, reiterating that the rebuilding process at the club has really went well.
"I wouldn't really say it was a good season but I am also not saying it was a bad one because when we talk about Orlando Pirates, we talk about a club whose success can only be measured by the number of trophies it wins in a season because Pirates is a big team that has to win trophies.
Yes they have managed to win the MTN 8, that was great, they are also on the verge of winning the Nedbank Cup on the 27th of May which is fantastic and they are also still in contention to qualify for the CAF Champions League so that tells you that the club is moving in the right direction," Moloi said.
Moloi who was the darling of the Buccaneers' die-hard supporters in the 1980's and 1990's while still being revered even today furthermore alluded that he is excited to see how will Pirates compete next season in continental football.
"Now that the team is going to play either in the CAF Champions League or the CAF Confederations Cup next season, the boys should go there and experience how continental football is, I wouldn't necessarily put pressure on them and expect them to win it in but rather to go there and gain experience.
That experience will certainly be necessary for them in the next coming seasons because that's when we can say they should now compete and potentially go all the way to the final of the Champions League."
While under the guidance of Jose Riveiro, the Buccaneers has also introduced a couple of new players like the likes of Miguel Timm, Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Sipho Chaine just to mention a few and Moloi believes the latter have done quite well in adjusting to the Pirates setup.
"I really like how the players have shown their willingness and desire to understand what playing for Pirates means because they have now stepped up to the plate and although they still need to be initiated just a little bit into the Pirates culture, they are now on the right track.
They have shown us a glimmer of hope on what they can do and achieve and that also tells you the team is in a rebuilding process that has went really well," Moloi added.
Meanwhile, Pirates will be without regular defender Tapelo Xoki during their last match of the season against AmaZulu on Saturday the 20th of May at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
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