Sekhukhune United assistant coach Papi Zothwane has spoken about the challenge awaiting his team as they prepare to face Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout Cup, insisting that his players must believe in themselves despite the difficult history between the two sides.

The upcoming encounter is expected to attract considerable attention, with the Buccaneers looking to continue their progress in the competition while Babina Noko will be determined to produce a strong performance and secure a place in the next round.

Speaking ahead of the important fixture, Zothwane acknowledged that Sekhukhune United have suffered three defeats against Orlando Pirates in their previous meetings. However, he believes those results should not determine what happens in their next encounter.

According to the Sekhukhune United coach, his responsibility and that of the technical team is to ensure that the players remain confident and believe they can compete against the Soweto giants.

"We are aware [we lost three times] – it's part of our jobs to make the players believe. In the past games, they know it's not easy to play Pirates," Zothwane said.

His comments suggest that Sekhukhune United are fully aware of the quality and threat posed by Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers have established themselves as one of the most competitive teams in South African football, and facing them requires concentration, confidence and tactical discipline.

However, Zothwane does not want his players to become distracted by previous results. He believes the upcoming Carling Knockout encounter presents a fresh opportunity, with both teams needing to focus on what they can produce on the day.

"But we can't dwell on the past games, it's a new game and different players. They know what to expect," he added.

The message from the Sekhukhune United technical team is clear: previous defeats should not become a psychological barrier for the players.

For Orlando Pirates, however, the challenge will be to maintain their competitive standards and avoid underestimating an opponent determined to change the narrative.

The Carling Knockout Cup is a competition where every mistake can have serious consequences, meaning both sides will need to approach the encounter with the right mentality.

Pirates supporters will be hoping that the Buccaneers can demonstrate their quality once again, while Sekhukhune United will be looking to prove that their previous defeats against the Soweto giants are now history.

With a place in the next stage of the competition at stake, all eyes will be on this exciting South African football encounter.

Source:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F3z64yfeA/