Xoki issues apology after Pirates’ disastrous defeat against Stellenbosch

Following Orlando Pirates’ disastrous 3-2 defeat against Stellenbosch FC in the DStv Premiership, the club’s vice-captain Tapelo Xoki has issued an apology.

Pirates suffered their second loss in a row after losing 3-1 to SuperSport United at Peter Mokaba Stadium last weekend.

The Buccaneers looked to be on course to beat Stellenbosch at Orlando Stadium on Friday night after taking a 2-0 lead.

Pirates took the lead through Xoki, who converted from penalty spot, before Evidence Makgopa doubled the lead with an audacious finish.

Stellenbosch came from a two-goal deficit. They netted three goals in the second-half to walk away with the crucial three points away from home. This was their fourth consecutive win in the league as they kept on maintaining their impressive run.

Now, the Steve Barker-coached team hasn’t tasted defeat in their last 11 games in all competitions.

TAPELO XOKI EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER A LOSS STELLENBOSCH

Having squandered a two-goal lead against Stellenbosch, Pirates defender Xoki has apologised for the below-par performance.

“I’ve got no words for this one [the defeat]. It’s very disappointing from us we have to take accountability for the results,” Xoki told club media.

“We have to take accountability for the performance in the second-half because I thought we played a good first-half. We just had a moment of craziness for 20 minutes and they punished us.

“In this level, we can’t afford to be the way we were and they got three goals. It’s not the way we wanted to end our year.

“Hopefully we can bounce back from this. It’s unfortunate that we go into the break with a mood like this one.

“But it happens, it’s football and we learn from such moments, hopefully it will never happen again. We apologise to all the Pirates supporters, all the stakeholders, the technical team and everyone in the club.”

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