Moeneeb Josephs
Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs believes winning the League last season has paved the way for more success because the “pressure to win” the League has eased off.
‘Slim Kat’ says he believes that Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza has had a positive influence on the team since the end of the 2010 World Cup and now that Khoza is more focused on the club, the future is bright.
“I think now the pressure to win the League is off because our supporters have tasted it, they have had the glory of winning the League title again,” he says.
Pirates not only won the treble last season, but also the MTN 8 this campaign and now only Bidvest Wits stand in their way of lifting the Telkom Knockout on Saturday night.
“Now we just have a healthy hunger or a healthy pressure, which is enough to push us forward towards another title,” Josephs tells MTNFootball.com.
“Breaking this pressure after not winning it (the League) for so long was so important for everyone involved at the club.”
Josephs says Khoza’s influence on the team cannot be underestimated either.
“With him being back focused on the club it has a very good influence on the team. It’s good for us (players) to know because it all starts with the chairman.”
Josephs will be up against his former team The Clever Boys and a coach with whom he worked really well, in Roger De Sa.
“It’s always nice to play against your former team, you know,” Josephs told his club’s official website.
“But, this is not about Wits … it’s about Orlando Pirates’ ambition to win the Telkom Knockout Cup.
“People can have their opinions about our league results against Wits but we are a team with lots of character, very experienced and we will prove on Saturday that we still hungry for cup success.”
By Neil Greig