The Buccaneers coach Abdeslam Ouaddou recently voiced concerns over his side’s lack of a killer instinct – a point underlined last weekend when Pirates were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup after a goalless 120 minutes.
While encounters against bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs are rarely high-scoring affairs, Sibisi insists the responsibility to find the net cannot rest solely on the strikers.”In derbies, the margins are so tight, and it could come down to one set piece that wins you the game, so it’s not only pressure on the strikers but pressure on us defenders as well for when we get those set piece opportunities. It’s a team effort.”
The defender also expects a high tempo game at FNB Stadium with Pirates and Chiefs often relying on pace to get the better of the opposition.
Pirates will be eager to return to the top of the Betway Premiership table by putting more pressure on champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Sibisi says there’s no better way to do it than against Chiefs.
“It’s always very important to get a win over Kaizer Chiefs because it’s a big morale boost for everyone involved, whether its the players or the supporters.
“Our supporters have been immense for us this season. They’ve been coming out in numbers whether we play in Durban, Polokwane or Soweto. Wherever we go we always feel at home. We will try to win this one for them and let’s see what will happen at the end of the season.”The skipper added that he’d play his part in helping Soweto Derby debutants as the game can get overwhelming sometimes and affect performance.
“For us as the senior guys in the team who have experienced the derby before, is to try and calm the nerves down because as soon as there is anxiety, performance tends to drop.
“We will help the new guys coming into their first Soweto Derby, and keep their emotions in check.”