Orlando Pirates News Today: Legend on why Bucs stars are ‘not ready,’ African Stars fire warning & more

Latest news about Orlando Pirates, including a club legend explaining why the club’s young players are far from being ready and African Stars’ CAF Champions League warning.

Legend explains why Pirates youngsters need time

Former Orlando Pirates captain Benson Mhlongo believes the many young players at the club are still learning how to win games and will take some time before they become the real deal.

Pirates currently have a number of youngsters such as Simphiwe Masilela, Thapelo Mokobodi, Simpiwe Selepe, Cemran Dansin, Mpho Padime, Matome Mmolai, Bohlale Ngwato, Kabelo Kgositsile, Neo Rapoo and Sbangani Zulu who have been integrated into the team by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Some of them are already impressing while others get into the groove slowly and Mhlongo believes while they will eventually help Pirates bring success, they are still not the finished product yet.

“I think what Pirates is doing right is to look at these young boys and ask, ‘Are they ready to compete in the league and in CAF?’ The only way to test them is in the big games,” Mhlongo told FARPost.

“You can’t test them at training or training matches. I’m saying you have got four big teams currently. Pirates as PSL champions, Sundowns as number two, TS Galaxy and you have got Chiefs.

“As for TS Galaxy, people are not aware that they are always fighting for the top five or top four. We had SuperSport United before, but TS Galaxy are one of the teams that give big teams a hard time; they are not an easy team to beat.

“So, if these young boys can beat TS Galaxy, it means they are 50 percent ready. These boys couldn’t beat Sundowns [in the MTN8 final], and it means there is a lot of work to be done in terms of gaining experience.”

African Stars issue Champions League warning

African Stars coach Gerald Gunther has issued a warning to Orlando Pirates ahead of their CAF Champions League return leg at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday.

The Namibian club lost the first leg 1-0 at home and must overturn the deficit in the second leg in South Africa.

While Pirates are seen as favourites, Gunther remains adamant that his team can surprise the Buccaneers since they have now gained match fitness and confidence which they lacked in the first leg.

“We really had a great second half. In the first half, we struggled a bit during the opening 25 minutes before we started playing as we had planned. The heat was also too much for the players, but what affected us most was the lack of game time, which had an impact as the match progressed,” he said as per New Era Live.

“We will give everything physically and mentally, compete for every ball and fight for one another until the final whistle. We know how important this occasion is, and we want our supporters and the entire nation to stand behind us. We will do everything in our power to keep the African Stars flag flying high.”