Orlando Pirates in fine-tuning mode following four straight losses says Kermit Erasmus

The Soweto giants have suffered four straight defeats and take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the MTN8 on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban – perhaps as underdogs.

But Erasmus believes the work put in at training ahead of the cup tie could see Pirates turn the corner.

"Well, I think it's just the execution of the final product. We get into good spaces and we get into good places of attacking positions to execute certain actions, you know it's just those final details like you said. I think if we can finetune that like we've been this week it could be a different ball game. So, we are excited for the game on the weekend, it's gonna be a very interesting game, sold out crowd," Erasmus said.

The Buccaneers are the defending champions of the MTN8, so naturally, Erasmus adds, there’s high expectations.

"There's a lot of pressure from both sides, for both sides and it's just about how you can control that pressure in critical moments and the most important thing is execution. Executing those actions of those critical moments that will determine who wins and who doesn't," Erasmus added.

Pirates knocked out Sundowns in the same competition last season, but have struggled to beat them in the three DStv Premiership matches that followed, including the one played two weeks ago at Orlando Stadium.

But Erasmus says the final on Saturday will be different.

"Games are being won on who wants it more, more than anything. How fit you are, what form you are in. A cup final is a totally different game and I think the team that wants it more will come out victorious and I'd like to think that we as Orlando Pirates, I think we want it more.”