Pirates are, however, well placed to defend their league title, in second place on the standings just a point behind leaders Sundowns, with a game in hand.

They are also the only South African team still in the CAF Champions League, after Downs’ elimination at the second qualifying round and are through to the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup – that they won last term with victory over Marumo Gallants.

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s charges will also begin their Nedbank Cup campaign in the new year.  

“We can do quite a lot this season. We are gunning for everything. We fell short in the MTN8 [by losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the final in Durban last month], but there’s still plenty to play for,” Sibisi said in the Sowetan.

“There’s still the league and the Carling Knockout to defend, while we are also in the Champions League. Later on there’s the Nedbank Cup to win, so we are going for everything.

“In the Champions League, it’s a different ball game; it’s a level higher. It’s going to be a good test to see where we are as a team after falling short in the past two seasons.”

“We’ve gotten used to working with the coach. For some of us who’ve been with him for the past season, it’s been easier for us to understand what he wants and what he demands,” Sibisi added.

“I think everyone who’s just come in will also learn and understand him, because he doesn’t demand good but he demands excellence… whenever we win 3-0 or 4-0, he is always adamant that we should have won 8-0 or 10-0. He’s a straight talker, so for us it’s just to take it in a positive manner.”

Pirates play against Sekhukhune United in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.