Pirates aim for season treble
It is back to work for Orlando Pirates who have shifted focus from their Premiership triumph on the weekend to the Nedbank Cup final this coming Saturday.
It is an opportunity for the club to do the "treble" -- and earn R6 million -- adding to their MTN8 trophy and league success they have enjoyed this season under coach Ruud Krol.
Build-up Gallery
While the team celebrated hard after their dramatic triumph league win on Saturday, they were back in training on Monday preparing for the final week of the 2010/11 season.
The Buccaneers face First Division outfit Black Leopards at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit in the cup final.
The momentum is with Pirates, who will enter the fray as overwhelming favourites, even though Leopards will not easily roll over.
"Everybody wants to beat the champions and we will not underestimate Leopards on the field," said Krol.
"Their coach (Sunday Chidzambwa) does not have to do much to motivate his players for this game -- they are already motivated."
Leopards, who are also in the promotion playoffs where they stand a chance of returning to the Premier Soccer League, saw off Vasco da Gama and giant-killers Baroka FC in their previous two rounds of the cup.
At the forefront of the Limpopo side's gutsy display is captain and striker Robert Ng'ambi who will, once again, be key to helping Lidoda Duvha if they are to pull off an historic win.
Though Krol said his side will be highly prepared for their opponents, his biggest challenge is in ensuring that Pirates maintain their classy performance.
"You have to work hard when you're at the top in order to make sure that you remain there," said Krol.
"I told my players to keep up the good performance and to aim at finishing the season on a good note.
"I watched the match when they (Leopards) played Vasco but I'm trying to get more information about them to pass on to my players."
Pirates' injured duo of striker Bongani Ndulula and midfielder Dikgang Mabalane are expected to recover in time for the clash.
Tickets for the game are already sold out.