Orlando Pirates slump hard to swallow for Thapelo Xoki

Xoki is expected to lead the Buccaneers at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday evening (kick-off at 18:00) to defend a trophy they clinched at the same venue a year ago. 

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However, their poor form is admittedly a major concern for the players. 

"That's the most difficult part to digest for us, but when you look at the games and analyse them, that's where then the confidence comes in to say, 'Okay, guys. Not all is lost, we've done great things in the games we played, even though we lost some of them,'" said Xoki.

"But we know there's so many areas we can do better. We have to now try and cut the moments where we could have done better, and turn them into good moments because that's where I think the thin line between success and defeats was.

"It's small details that we've lost the games [by], but we've moved on from that, learned the lessons, and hopefully now we go on forward and get a cup on our side, then we can have a positive attitude to kick on into the league."

The Brazilians have been dominant over Pirates in their last three meetings – all in the league, but the 28-year-old is adamant this cup final will more than likely have a different approach given it's a once-off and plenty is at stake.

"Cup games have a different mindset, I can tell you that. The league, yes, has its own pressures and elements, but cup games have its own mindset," stressed the centre-back.

"In a cup game, you know you cannot play your bad game because it's a once-off and you can be out, so we have to try and make sure we're at our best physically, mentally, spiritually, because it's a game that challenges you mentally as well."

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