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One of the leaders in the Orlando Pirates dressing room, Thapelo Xoki, has spoken about the hunger to make a clean sweep of all the available trophies in the domestic scene, including the Nedbank Cup.
Xoki was speaking to SABC Sport shortly after the Nedbank Cup last 16 draw, which pitted them against the Motsepe Foundation Championship’s high-flying team, Casric Stars, at home. Pirates, log leaders in the Betway Premiership and already with the MTN8 and Carling Black Label Knockout titles in the bag, are looking to complete a quadruple this season.
Xoki feels that it’s achievable...
"We are an ambitious club. Everyone that arrives here and realises that we play every tournament to win it, doesn't matter which one it is, but we always try our best to compete on all fronts.
"The two trophies this season was won in 2025, in 2026 we don't have anything yet, and that's a motivating factor on it's own."
In Casric Stars, Pirates are meeting one of the most highly competitive teams in the National First Division (NFD).
They were in the promotion play-offs last season and are currently second, just three points behind the log leaders, Milford FC.
Xoki knows that this is a tricky fixture.
"We welcome the fixture. The last fixture we played away so we really wanted a home fixture to play in front of our supporters.
"It's going to be a tricky fixture and it's not going to be a walkover against Casric Stars, a team that is competing for the league title in their respective league."
Pirates have only lost once at home in all competitions this season, and Xoki says it is this fear factor which opposition like Casric Stars should be concerned about when they head to the Orlando Amstel Arena.
Meanwhile, Xoki was part of the group of Pirates players and technical team, including head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who were involved in a road accident when they returned from playing against Chippa United in the Eastern Cape last year.
He reveals that he’s currently recovering and undergoing rehabilitation, and is grateful for his life...
"Currently, I'm just grateful for life. Everyday is a blessing for me and I'm taking it one day at a time. I'm grateful for the club's support and all of my teammates and family. The experience taught me that we are not guaranteed tomorrow."
