Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana midfielder believes Orlando Pirates will come back stronger from their defeat to Pyramids, with the club’s young players going to learn from this loss.
The Buccaneers were leading twice over Pyramids thanks to goals by Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota.
However, a brace by Fiston Mayele and a goal by substitute Ramadan Sobhi crushed Mzansi’s hopes of an all-South Africa final.
The match also shattered the dreams of Pirates adding a second star after going unbeaten in the CAFCL before Friday’s semi-final second leg, while picking up crucial away wins at CR Belouizdad, Al Ahly and MC Alger.
Khumalo, though, insisted especially the club’s young guns have all the reason to be proud and will come back stronger from Friday’s defeat.
“A very positive note, a very dejected Orlando Pirates, disappointed… Where I’m seated I’m proud of those boys,” he said on SABC2.
“Because they showed up. They never let up, they lost fighting.
“They might have lost but wait until the next five years and see the character that will come out of them. Because it’s not about what happened now.
“These boys were thrown in the deep end and they handled it. Riveiro threw Nkota, Mofokeng, name them all, Mbatha… but these boys they’ll gave character out of this loss.
“And this is the boys, mark my words you’ll see these boys shining again.”
