Pirates have gotten the 2015/16 PSL season off to a dismal start, winning just one of their opening four Absa Premiership fixtures, while also being eliminated from the MTN8 by eventual champions Ajax Cape Town in the first round.
Phungwayo says as a team they are bitterly disappointed for letting the Pirates brand down as well as the club’s supporters, but assures that they have been working hard on improving their performances.
“We’re not happy, of course, with how things have turned out [in the start of the season], but we are working on it,” says ‘Boka’.
“At the end of the day, we are a big team and we need to always be at the top of the log. For now, while we’re not in the top eight, it makes us sad not only as players but also as a technical team.
“As a brand we also want to show and give the supporters what they deserve.”
The Buccaneers are currently three matches without a win and face Polokwane City in a League encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night, before hosting Egyptian rivals Al-Ahly in their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final on Saturday.
Following a 1-1 draw with Mpumalanga Black Aces this past Friday, Phungwayo says the match against Rise and Shine offers an opportunity to build momentum for the weekend.
“We need such games, especially ones that come thick and fast, because if we can win tomorrow we can take confidence into the game on Saturday.
“If we lose we won’t manage [against Ahly] because you can imagine we’re playing against African giants. So we need to win at home in the first leg so that we seal the tie,” he adds.