‘They’re playing for Tik Tok’ – Ex-Pirates star slams Bucs players

Former Orlando Pirates star Mark Mayambela has hit out at the team for not showing character and personality in their 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United in their PSL opener on Saturday.

Pirates suffered a shock defeat to Babina Noko, handing new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou a reality check, although the former Marumo Gallants coach insisted his team should have won had they utilised their chances.

Mayambela is, however, saddened that Pirates players failed to turn up and has slammed them for performing like they were creating content for social media rather than putting in a performance that would prove there are genuine title contenders.

“Trying is not good enough, to be honest. Trying is not going to close the gap between the club and the leaders of the league or the team [Mamelodi Sundowns] that has won the league eight times in a row,” Mayambela said SoccerBeat.

Mayambela annoyed by Pirates’ attitude against Sekhukhune

“You know, we need a little bit of personality and professionalism because there are moments in the game when you watch and feel like players are doing things for TikTok or for social media, hoping that people will upload them and so on. For me, it was not good enough.”

Pirates were hoping to begin the season in victorious fashion especially after their 2-0 win over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final a week earlier but were handed a setback by Erick Tinkler’s side.

It was not the start Ouaddou was hoping for after replacing Jose Riveiro and heads into their second match with pressure to show that it was just a minor setback and not a concern.

Ouaddou would not have wished for a worst match to do that as his Pirates team take on his former employers Marumo Gallants on Tuesday and must win to get back on track.