Former Orlando Pirates winger Daine Klate has weighed in on the
Buccaneers’ promising season, advising that while their early cup victories
are commendable, the club must now focus its hunger on the “ultimate
prize”—the DStv Premiership title.
Pirates have already secured the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies this
season, sparking hopes among supporters of a potential treble or quadruple.
However, Klate, who won multiple league titles with the club, stressed that
sustained league success is the true benchmark of a top team.
“Look, I’ve been saying, winning cups is one thing; the ultimate, the bread
and butter is obviously the league title,” Klate told PSLSA. “I’m very happy
with how Pirates have stayed close to Sundowns in the last couple of
seasons… And what I’m seeing now is really competing for the league.”
Klate suggested that Pirates’ early exit from the CAF Champions League might
even prove beneficial in their domestic campaign. “Maybe that’s a blessing
in disguise to push for the league title, and they are really capable of
doing it.”
He emphasized the importance of a strong title race for South African
football. “Sundowns do need competition at this point in time; it only
augurs well… I think the competition for me is the most important thing.”
Addressing whether early silverware could reduce the team’s hunger, Klate
drew from his own treble-winning experience at Pirates. “When you win
trophies before the league title, it only augers well in terms of
confidence, the belief from fans, the belief from the club as a whole…
bringing the belief back that they can win the league.”
He concluded with a firm belief in the current squad’s potential. “Let’s
leave the MTN8, Carling… When you win cups like that it only augurs well
for your confidence in terms of the league title… I think this could be
the season that Pirates finally pip Sundowns for the league title.”
