It's been a difficult few weeks for actor Noel Baloyi as an Orlando Pirates supporter, but he believes things will turn around for the Buccaneers in the MTN8 final this weekend against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Soccer Laduma spoke to the Kokota actor about the Buccaneers
Let's start with Pirates' CAF Champions League exit at the hands of Botswana Premier League club Jwaneng Galaxy. How did that make you feel?
It was not a good feeling, but to be honest, our team is not performing well at the moment. Ever since they (Jwaneng Galaxy) beat us on their home ground in Botswana, we have not performed well. We had the boy who missed the penalty (Relebohile Mofokeng). It's good for nurturing the youth, but again in such competitions, you need to make sure that we win and experience plays a big role. I kind of blame the coach actually with his choices. That's why I blame him.
Pirates need to move on quickly from the Champions League exit and focus on this weekend's MTN8 final against final. How confident are you that they can lift the trophy?
I am confident. We have to make sure that we secure this one because when you look at the league, it looks like Sundowns might win it again. So, we need to secure the MTN8. We need to defend this trophy. We've defended it before, so we need to try to do it again.
Are you not afraid of Sundowns at all?
They are a threat, but they know that when they face a Soweto giants, it's a problem. It's not so easy for them. I am confident going into this one. They beat us recently in the league, but if we can fix a few things here and there, we can do it.
Why did you start supporting Pirates?
I am from Giyani. At home, everybody is a Chiefs fan and I just wanted to oppose them. So, that's how I got to support Pirates. And, at the time, Pirates were good. Remember the time of players like Oupa Manyisa and Teko Modise? That was Pirates for me.
Did your family not feel like you let them down by supporting Pirates?
It was nice, because there was always competition in the family. When Pirates won, I knew that it would be nice and that I would bother them by talking too much.
Who is your all-time favourite Pirates player?
I'd give it to Teko. I remember when he was playing in 2010 with (Siphiwe) Tshabalala. Both of them were playing for Bafana Bafana and they were doing well for Pirates and Chiefs. I loved watching Teko.
Did it not hurt you when Modise left Pirates to join Sundowns?
Well, I just became a fan of Teko, not Sundowns. It's the same thing with Romeo (Kermit Erasmus). When he was playing for Sundowns, I had a problem there. But then again, he came back. Teko retired and I was fine with that. Oupa Manyisa as well. So, individually so, I liked the fact that these players represented Pirates.
Who is your favourite player in the current Pirates team?
It's Maswanganyi. He has the spice. He knows how to assist. Everybody is focused on Lepasa, but I am not looking at the goals. I am looking at the shibobo and that spice. Hopefully over time he will score more goals.
Lastly, where do you see Pirates finishing in the DSTV Premiership this season?
Top four. With the league, let's be honest. I think they will finish in the top four. Sundowns is a problem now and someone I kind of feel like they are killing football because there is no competition for them. It's nice when there is competition.
