Tapelo Xoki opens up on the ‘healthy headache’ of Pirates’ squad depth

Orlando Pirates’ pursuit of silverware is being fueled by a cut-throat internal culture, with Tapelo Xoki explaining that the club’s aggressive recruitment drive has turned every training session into a fight for a starting berth.

The Sea Robbers have emerged as the most formidable challengers to Mamelodi Sundowns’ eight-year throne, currently sitting at the summit of the Betway Premiership with 35 points from 15 matches.

This dominance follows a relentless recruitment drive over the last two windows, which saw high-profile arrivals like Sipho Mbule, Oswin Appollis, and January signings Andre de Jong and Daniel Msendami.

The Battle for the Backline At Pirates

For Xoki, the arrival of talent like Mpho Chabatsane has only intensified the struggle for a starting berth. The experienced former AmaZulu captain now finds himself in a five-way tussle for the centre-back positions alongside Nkosinathi Sibisi, Lebone Seema, and Thabiso Sesane.

Speaking at the Nedbank Cup Last 16 draw in Randburg, Xoki shared his thoughts on why this internal rivalry is a blessing rather than a curse.

“The club has invested a lot in playing personnel, and they’ve given the group depth. So that helps us when one is out, another one can come and still do the job,” Xoki noted. “For us, it’s a testament to how the club has evolved over the years. The success we’ve had is never enough; we still have a lot of ambitions.”

Tapelo Xoki’s Verdict on New Arrivals

While many clubs struggle to integrate mid-season signings, Xoki believes Pirates’ ability to hit the ground running is due to the quick adaptation of the new faces. This chemistry has already yielded the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies this season.

“The new players have settled in well and early, which also helps,” Xoki added. “Luckily for us, we had players that settled in early, and that has propelled us to the success we’ve had so far. Now we are looking to finish the season strong.”

With the squad firing on all cylinders and the “ghost” of past failures fading, Pirates appear well-equipped to handle the high-stakes pressure of the title run-in. As Xoki suggests, the verdict is clear: at Mayfair, nobody’s spot is safe, and that is exactly how they like it.