Orlando Pirates defender and captain Tapelo Xoki offered a heartfelt apology to the club’s loyal supporters following their unexpected elimination from the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals at the hands of Richards Bay.
The Buccaneers’ dreams were shattered as they succumbed to The Natal Richboys in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout after a goalless draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium this past Saturday.
Xoki, donning the captain’s armband, spoke candidly to the club’s media in the wake of the disappointing defeat and pledged to the fans that the team would bounce back from this setback.
“We are very disappointed; we gave it our all. No regrets whatsoever,” expressed Xoki with unwavering determination. “We tried to win the game. We created chances. We made every effort to secure the victory. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our day, and football occasionally deals you these difficult moments. It’s now our responsibility to pick ourselves up, dust off the disappointment, and focus on finishing the season.
“We have an upcoming game on Tuesday, so there’s no time to dwell on this one. While it’s undeniably disappointing, we apologize to our supporters and everyone associated with the club, but we are committed to lifting our spirits and moving forward with a positive mindset.”
This defeat marked the fourth consecutive match in which Pirates failed to secure a victory. To compound their troubles, The Sea Robbers have managed to score a mere three goals in their last four outings across all competitions. As a result, Pirates currently find themselves languishing in the 13th spot on the DStv Premiership league table.
However, they have an opportunity to climb the standings when they host Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30.
