Benedict Vilakazi praises new Orlando Pirates trio led by Oswin Appollis
Former Orlando Pirates striker Benedict Vilakazi praises new signings Oswin Appollis (pictured right), Sihle Nduli, and Sipho Mbule for their impressive debuts in the MTN8, as Pirates aim to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance in the Betway Premiership. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Former Orlando Pirates striker Benedict Vilakazi has sung the praises of the new blood in the squad, which produced some fine performances in the MTN8 over the weekend.
Pirates beat Polokwane City 2-0 at Orlando Stadium, with Oswin Appollis, Sihle Nduli and Sipho Mbule all making their debuts for the Bucs.
Big signing Appollis bagged the opener inside the first quarter hour of the clash, while Nduli and Mbule were also impressive.
Vilakazi, as Pirates’ all-time top goal-scorer with over 50 strikes for the club in 170 appearances between 1999 and 2007, said it would not have been easy for the new recruits and yet they were more than up to the challenge.
Vilakazi on the Pressure of Playing for Orlando Pirates and Appollis’ Impressive Debut
“To play for a team like Orlando Pirates, there’s always pressure. You play for that team; you must know that you’ve got pressure until the day you retire from the game because Pirates is a big team,” Vilakazi told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.
“Appollis, for me, was wonderful. It was his first game, and he scored a goal. The second goal was a penalty where they fouled him in the box. For me, that was a perfect game, especially for a debut. You cannot ask for more than what he did on Saturday, and to also be named man of the match - for me, that’s fantastic.”
Pirates Aim to Challenge Mamelodi Sundowns’ Dominance in Betway Premiership
Though it’s difficult to see how Mamelodi Sundowns can be toppled after their eighth league title in a row last season, Pirates would dearly like to improve on their second place in the Betway Premiership in this campaign.
“You can see that Pirates mean business this season. Last season they fell short a bit, but this season they mean business with the players that they’ve signed in the team, it tells you that they want the league and they want to win this season.”
Pirates open their league campaign against Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Saturday in a 5.30pm kick-off.