Xoki: 'History doesn't play these games'

ORLANDO Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki has downplayed the significance of his team’s recent dominance over Kaizer Chiefs, insisting that their focus is squarely on the performance required in tomorrow's Nedbank Cup final.

- SMISO MSOMI

The Soweto giants meet in a sold-out clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with kick-off set for 3.30pm. This will be the second cup final for the Buccaneers this season, and a chance to complete a treble under coach Jose Riveiro, who is leaving the club at the end of the campaign.

A win would mark Pirates’ third consecutive Nedbank Cup title and sixth overall trophy since Riveiro’s arrival in 2022.

Despite the momentum favour-ing Pirates, having defeated Chiefs in both league encounters this season, Xoki insists that past results are irrelevant when it comes to finals.

"History doesn’t play these games. For us, it’s important that we are ourselves on the day," he said at a press conference on Thursday.

"We can’t play the occasion, but we need to play the match itself.