Timm sure Orlando Pirates are closing the gap on Sundowns
Orlando Pirates’ Miguel Timm says they’re not obsessed with catching up with perennial league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, though he’s confident it’s only a matter of time before they close the gap.
Pirates may be gradually redeeming themselves as far as winning cup competitions is concerned, having won two MTN8 titles, but they keep coming short of challenging Sundowns for the league title.
Bucs could also add another trophy to their cabinet on Saturday against Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup.
Pirates last clinched the league in the 2011/2012 season, while the Brazilians have won six on the trot.
Timm, who only joined the Sea Robbers in the off-season, has insisted they don’t gauge their success by comparing themselves to Sundowns, though he is encouraged by their recent upturn, saying that they’ll bridge the gap.
“We don’t compare ourselves to them. We’ve set our own foundation and the more we improve on what we’ve done this season, the closer we will get and time will tell.
“I am very confident that the gap will be closed for the work that we’ve done,” Timm said at Pirates’ media open day at the Rand Stadium.
“This is just a start, the future is bright for us.
“We’ve never once compared ourselves to say how far off we are from the log leaders, the champions.
“We’ve always tried to be better than we were previously, correct and fix the way we’ve been playing. The system has been brought in by the technical team, which has seen us as individuals improve and also as a collective.”
Timm, 31, is expected to play a crucial role when Pirates face Sekhukhune in the final.
The Pirates midfielder is raring to come up against his old pal Kamohelo Mokotjo in the engine room, reflecting on how far they have come.
“I don’t think many of you know, I was at the academy with Kamo at SuperSport.
“So, I spent six, seven years with him. I think our understanding of the game is probably similar because of the school we went through.
“And yes I do look forward to battling it out with him,” Timm said.
“We are in communication... he’s one of my friends ... so it’s going to be exciting to play against him. ”—