“We must redeem ourselves at the expense of Moroka Swallows, whether we like or not;” these are the strong words of former Orlando Pirates striker Bruce Ramokadi ahead of the Absa Premier League clash against the Dube Birds at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The former marksman didn’t mince his words in expressing his views on Bucs’ disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.

“There is no question about it…losing to Mamelodi Sundowns is a serious setback especially at this present time when points are so hard to come by…there are clubs who want to escape the relegation zone, others want to qualify for the top eight and like Pirates, others want to win the league.

“SuperSport United are going strong at the moment and we…and when I say we I mean Pirates… we need to start winning games. I still believe we are the main threat to SuperSport United claiming their third consecutive title.

“There is so much talent in the current team – and if used properly, I think we can go a long way in challenging if not winning the title.

“But, if we continue to drop points unnecessarily like we did on Wednesday, we can forget about it…consistency is key, the league is not a short sprint it is a marathon.

Ramokadi, who was speaking from Limpopo whereby he is currently taking part in the Sports Heroes Walk Against HIV/ AIDS Campaign, said that the current crop of players needed to believe in themselves more.

“The chairman and his management staff have assembled one of the strongest Pirates teams in recent years. This clearly shows the club’s intentions of winning some silverware this season.

“The supporters deserve something to smile about after all these years. So it’s up to the players to focus and start believing in themselves that they can win the league…and not doubt themselves.

‘Jam-Alley’ as Ramokadi is famously known to the Ghost, challenged the Class of 2009/10 season to restore the pride of the club by beating Moroka Swallows on Saturday.”

“Games between Pirates and Swallows used to be very exciting encounters but not anymore. Nowadays these games are like any other but my challenge to the current crop of players is for them to revive that spark and reclaim the title of the Soweto Derby…all people talk about nowadays is the Pirates and Chiefs derby but they forget that before Chiefs there was a bigger derby and that was against Swallows.

“The game will be played at the Orlando Stadium…this should add some much needed excitement to spice up this encounter.”

He added: “But at the end of the day it’s up to the players to make things happen. I am optimistic that we are going to win against the Birds, provided if the coach gives other deserving players a chance to prove themselves.

Background: Bruce Ramokadi

• Bruce Ramokadi signed for Orlando Pirates in 1993 when he was just 18-years-old. He won his first league medal with the club a year later with Pirates lifting the NSL title.

• Played in the 1995 CAF Champions Cup final where they beat Asec Mimosa of Ivory Coast to become the first Southern Hemisphere club to do so.

• Scored the winner against Algeria’s JS Kabylie to help Pirates lift the CAF African Super Cup in 1996.

• Medals won with Orlando Pirates: NSL (1994), CAF Champions Cup (1995), CAF African Super Cup (1996), Bob Save Super Bowl and BP Top 8 (both in 1996), Telkom Charity Cup (1993, ‘95, ‘97, ‘99).

• Silver medalist for Coca-Cola Cup (1995), Bob Save Super Bowl (1998).

• Retired from professional football prematurely at the tender age of 28 due to a niggling knee injury in 2003.