Orlando Pirates captain Thabo Matlaba is a relieved man after the Buccaneers finished the season in seventh position.
In doing so, they remain the only team to have never been out of the top eight in the PSL era since 1996/97.
Matlaba, who was Man of the Match in the 2-2 draw against SuperSport United on the weekend, admitted that it could have been a huge embarrassment to finish outside of the top eight.
"We didn't start the season very well. We wanted to finish third, but that didn't happen and we had an opportunity to finish in the top eight. That's what we did,” said Matlaba, whose side was at some stage 14th on the log during the time they played in the Caf Confederation Cup and had domestic matches postponed.
"We've done extremely well to finish in the top eight and we didn't want to be those players who didn't finish in the top eight. I'm happy,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pirates coach Eric Tinkler has hailed Matlaba's influence as a leader after the latter took over the responsibility from the injured Oupa Manyisa.
"Ace" was sidelined with an ankle injury since September and only recently returned to training. “Oupa is our captain and Thabo has done a fantastic job when Happy [Jele] has also been out,” said the former Bafana Bafana midfielder.
And with regards to the players who stepped in to fill the void left by Manyisa, Tinkler is pleased with the contribution of Mpho Makola and Sifiso Myeni.
“Oupa is a very influential player in our squad and as coaches, we always talk about the spine of your squad – that it needs to be strong and Oupa was one of those. And to find another Oupa is not very easy but look at Mpho and Sifiso in terms of how they've come inside [central midfield]. I think they've done a fantastic job,” he said.
Tinkler believes beating SuperSport United to win the Nedbank Cup next Saturday at Peter Mokaba Stadium will make up for a disappointing season.
"I'm not satisfied [with the season]. I wish I could be sitting in front of you as [Caf] Confederation Cup winners. It was a disappointment that we didn't win [the final against Etoile due Sahel] and it is a disappointment that we didn't finish higher in the league. Well, also losing in the Telkom Knockout semifinals against Chiefs. There is that disappointment.
"Now we have the Nedbank [Cup] and we want to finish the season on a positive note with the trophy," Tinkler concluded.
Matlaba pleased with top 8 finish
Orlando Pirates captain Thabo Matlaba is a relieved man after the Buccaneers finished the season in seventh position.
In doing so, they remain the only team to have never been out of the top eight in the PSL era since 1996/97.
Matlaba, who was Man of the Match in the 2-2 draw against SuperSport United on the weekend, admitted that it could have been a huge embarrassment to finish outside of the top eight.
"We didn't start the season very well. We wanted to finish third, but that didn't happen and we had an opportunity to finish in the top eight. That's what we did,” said Matlaba, whose side was at some stage 14th on the log during the time they played in the Caf Confederation Cup and had domestic matches postponed.
"We've done extremely well to finish in the top eight and we didn't want to be those players who didn't finish in the top eight. I'm happy,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pirates coach Eric Tinkler has hailed Matlaba's influence as a leader after the latter took over the responsibility from the injured Oupa Manyisa.
"Ace" was sidelined with an ankle injury since September and only recently returned to training. “Oupa is our captain and Thabo has done a fantastic job when Happy [Jele] has also been out,” said the former Bafana Bafana midfielder.
And with regards to the players who stepped in to fill the void left by Manyisa, Tinkler is pleased with the contribution of Mpho Makola and Sifiso Myeni.
“Oupa is a very influential player in our squad and as coaches, we always talk about the spine of your squad – that it needs to be strong and Oupa was one of those. And to find another Oupa is not very easy but look at Mpho and Sifiso in terms of how they've come inside [central midfield]. I think they've done a fantastic job,” he said.
Tinkler believes beating SuperSport United to win the Nedbank Cup next Saturday at Peter Mokaba Stadium will make up for a disappointing season.
"I'm not satisfied [with the season]. I wish I could be sitting in front of you as [Caf] Confederation Cup winners. It was a disappointment that we didn't win [the final against Etoile due Sahel] and it is a disappointment that we didn't finish higher in the league. Well, also losing in the Telkom Knockout semifinals against Chiefs. There is that disappointment.
"Now we have the Nedbank [Cup] and we want to finish the season on a positive note with the trophy," Tinkler concluded.
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