Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Rakhale has praised coach Kjell Jonevret’s influence on his defensive and offensive work rate this season.

The 27-year-old winger walked away with the Man of the Match award following his display during the Buccaneers 1-0 win over Golden Arrows in the Nedbank Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The Sea Robbers secured their place in the finals through a 35th-minute goal by Abbubaker Mobara, and are now set to take on defending champions SuperSport United in the finals.

The Buccaneers winger admits that the club didn’t have the best of campaigns this season, but has credited his coach for his performance this year, after creating four assists from 19 appearances in all competitions.

‘I’m happy, I think the guys are happy. We didn’t have a good season. We owe this to ourselves and our beloved supporters,’ Rakhale told SuperSport after the game.

‘The coach has helped me in terms of defensive work, and going forward I’m using my ability and it’s working for the team.

‘This is the end result, I did what the coach has asked me to do. Even the teammates today, they were pushing me to work defensively and going forward.’

Orlando Pirates will now turn their attention back to the Absa Premiership when they take on Golden Arrows in their final league fixture on Saturday.

The match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium kicks off at 15:00.