Orlando Pirates not under pressure to defend MTN8 – Sibisi

Orlando Pirates FC’s newly appointed captain Nkosinathi Sibisi insists they have no pressure to defend MTN8 which gets underway this weekend.

The on-field Pirates leader said all the team’s players know what is expected of them and the need to translate pre-season form onto the pitch during the MTN8 opener.

“There is no pressure at all,” Sibisi told Pirates’ media. “The guys have done it, and the team has proven that they can play the game. It is just a matter of us doing it together. Fortunately, there are guys who have won it before and the ones who have come in want to win the cup [too]. For us there is no pressure. We just need to go out there and showcase what we have been showcasing during pre-season.”

Sibisi, who was appointed as the skipper on Wednesday, insisted that new and old players in the team understand their responsibility to defend the MTN8 cup.

“It has been a long pre-season, and we are looking forward to playing the games on Saturday,” the defender added.

“We know the responsibility we have on our shoulders in defending the cup. Come Saturday, the boys will showcase what the fans must be looking forward to during the season.”

The Buccaneers returned from Spain a few days ago after holding pre-season camp training and played top sides such as Las Palmas, Granada and Bolton Wanderers.

Pirates start their title defence by welcoming the Rise and Shine in Orlando on Saturday in new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s first official assignment.