Orlando Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki says they are fully focused on the job at hand.
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Tapelo Xoki has made it clear that Orlando Pirates will not be distracted by developments elsewhere as they prepare for Sunday’s Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.
The Buccaneers head into the clash at the top of the Betway Premiership standings with 58 points, holding a slender one-point lead over Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand. Sundowns’ midweek slip against Stellenbosch has added intrigue to the title race, but Xoki insists the focus within the Pirates camp remains unchanged.
“Imagine us worrying about other teams when we have a derby to prepare for. For us it’s all about the processes and we have to make sure we respect that,” he said.
It is a sentiment that reflects a team intent on controlling what lies within their reach rather than being swayed by the shifting landscape of the title race. With five matches remaining, Pirates know that their destiny will largely be shaped by their own performances.
Sunday’s fixture, however, presents a unique challenge. Despite a commanding 3-0 victory over Chiefs in their last meeting, Xoki is under no illusions about the task ahead. The derby, he suggests, resets form and demands a fresh approach.
“We’ve had a long week to prepare for the derby and we are coming up against a team that we beat 3-0 the last time we played them, so we know it’s not going to be an easy game. We’re preparing for that because we expect them to come guns blazing at us and we have to match that,” he said.
Chiefs arrive with improved form and renewed confidence, making this encounter far more competitive than the previous meeting. That context places greater emphasis on preparation and mentality within the Pirates setup. For Xoki, the key lies in maintaining discipline and executing the game plan under pressure.
“Worrying about other teams and what they do is out of our control; what we can control is us performing on Sunday and getting those three points at the end of the day.”
That clarity of focus could prove crucial in a fixture that carries significant weight beyond bragging rights. A win would not only reinforce Pirates’ dominance in the derby but also strengthen their position at the top of the table at a critical stage of the season.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, Pirates appear grounded in their approach — aware of the stakes, but unwilling to be distracted. And if Xoki’s words are anything to go by, their mindset is simple: focus on the task, deliver on the day, and let the rest take care of itself.