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By Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Football Journalist


Sibisi says Pirates will fight to the end to qualify for Caf Champions League

'We have to keep on fighting until the end, we want to go play in Africa,' said the defender.


It’s all about fighting to the end for Orlando Pirates in order to qualify for the Caf Champions League, says defender Nkosinathi Sibisi following the team’s hard fought victory against TS Galaxy.

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Pirates were made to sweat for their victory against Galaxy, as they edged the Mpumalanga based side 2-1 in a DStv Premiership clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. 

After a good start into the match with the Buccaneers scoring an early goal courtesy of Terrence Dzvukamanja. Pirates surrendered their lead before half-time, with the Rockets captain Given Msimango equalising.

But a determined performance by Sibisi and his Pirates teammates saw the Soweto based club walking away as victors after Deon Hotto scored the winning goal in the second half. Sibisi reckons the way they conceded the goal was unlike them and they are working hard to try and prevent things like that from happening. 

“We have to keep on fighting until the end, we want to go play in Africa. And I think today (Sunday) we showed the fight and hunger (to achieve our goals),” said Sibisi, who was awarded the Man-of-the-Match for his solid performance for Bucs. 

“It was not going to be was not going to be easy. We scored early, and they kept on pushing until they got the equaliser. I think it was in the in 40th minute. It was just a lapse of concentration from our side. But we are working very hard as a team to try and not to concede such silly goals.”

The former Golden Arrows defender also applauded the side’s team spirit in their quest to qualify for the prestigious continental tournament. 

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“Going into the change room, we have a bunch of lovely players. The spirit is very high and we know what we can do. I think we are able to show glimpses of what we can do. I think we should be happy that we got three points, and we will keep on fighting (to finish in second place).”

The win against Galaxy placed the Sea Robbers in second spot on the league standings. They have collected 49 points in 27 matches, two points ahead of competitors SuperSport United, who are in third spot after the same number of games. 

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