Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi has chosen to apologise to the Buccaneers supporters following their 1-0 Soweto derby defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Pirates were already down to 10 players after captain Innocent Maela was handed a red card in the 60th minute. But is it necessary for players to apologise after a defeat?
Is losing not part of the game? What do clubs or players hope to achieve by making such a gesture?
“Disappointing results, it’s not easy, especially to concede a goal like that in the dying moments of the game,” Sibisi told Orlando Pirates’ media in the aftermath.
“But I think we fought, and also to lose our captain that early in the game, it wasn’t easy. The only thing we can do is to pick ourselves up. We have another game coming and the Nedbank to play for, so all is not lost.”
The defeat was their fifth consecutive loss to Chiefs which is something of an unwanted record. Bucs lost in an unfortunate manner when substitute Olisa Ndah scored an own goal in the 89th minute.
“We’d like to say to our fans, sorry for the loss. We know they came out in numbers to support us, but please keep on supporting us. We’ll try and make them proud.”
The Buccaneers come up against neighbours Swallows on Friday at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto and will be without Sibisi and Innocent Maela.
“We’ll try our utmost best to fight for every three points that are remaining and hopefully fight for the cup as well,” continued Sibisi.
The Dube Birds got their first anyway win of the season with a 2-1 win over Chippa United on Sunday.
Also Read: De Sa Personally Confirms Move to Qatar
