Sundowns legend on why Pirates’ CAF Champions League exit weakens Bafana

Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana believes South African football is poorer without Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League.

Pirates were eliminated from the Champions League by DR Congo side St Eloi Lupopo at the second preliminary round following an ill-tempered second leg in Johannesburg when they won 3-0 to tie the game 3-3 on aggregate but lost on penalties.

That saw Pirates miss out on the lucrative group stages, a major disappointment considering they reached the semi-final last season, and had recruited big with an eye on a deep run into the competition.

Kekana on importance of playing Champions League

Kekana feels South African football will suffer because of Pirates’ absence since playing in continental competitions improves players and gives them experience, something Bucs stars will not get this season.

“I always say the Champions League and Confederation Cup will improve players and give you experience you will never get in any match you’re playing at home, not because they’re not at that level,” Kekana said as per iDiski Times.

“It’s due to the teams that have won their leagues, from their respective countries and of course the teams get better, players are exposed to different game models and get challenges.”

Kekana is saddened by Pirates’ exit as he thinks Bafana Bafana will feel the effects now that they are headed to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and 2026 World Cup.

Why is Downs legend not happy with Pirates’ exit?

“I was not happy that Orlando Pirates had to bow out of the competition, simply because now – it doesn’t put our national team where we want to be as a country,” he added.

“The more teams we have in the competition, the better for our national team, the better for the improvement of the players and I love that fact that when Ntate Broos chooses the team, he chooses the players with continental experience.

“That’s why we qualified for the World Cup – because of the local based players participating in these competitions. So, I do believe it’s a big blow we don’t have another team [in the Champions League.]”