Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi has issued a stern warning to his former side ahead of their 2024/25 CAF Champions League opening tie, urging coach Jose Riveiro to take leaf from last season’s disappointment.
The Buccaneers finished second in the Betway Premiership to qualify for Africa’s prestigious club competition, and kick-off the new campaign away to unknown Disciples FC of Madagascar in the 1st preliminary round on Sunday, August 18.
Last season, Riveiro’s men exited the competition at this very stage at the hands of Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy, and the two-time treble winning skipper says last season’s early elimination was embarrassing while urging the coach to play his best players especially away from home.
“What happened last season should not happen, and I think it was a learning curve for the coach,” Lekgwathi told iDiski Times.
“Playing away and you are playing with your so-called B team, and you want to come back home and say I’ll cover the score, or I’ll settle the score and start playing your first team players.
“I think for him it was a learning curve. You play away, play your first team players, win the game, come back to SA and put some of your senior or regular players on the bench and when things don’t go well, you put them in.
“So, I think it was a learning curve for the coach and even the players to not undermine teams from our neighbouring countries. That team [Jwaneng Galaxy] got to the group stages after beating Orlando Pirates, beating Orlando Pirates took them further. They beat one of the best teams in Africa,” ‘Phinda Mzala’ added.
“The coach needs to make sure he plays his best team away. Let’s stop undermining teams because football has changed. Marumo Gallants reached the semi-finals [of the CONFED Cup] and look at Polokwane City now they reached the top 8 and [Kaizer] Chiefs are not there. It shows there are no longer small teams or small countries.”
Bucs take on the reigning Madagascar league champions at the Cote D’Or National Sports Complex in Saint Pierre, with the clash set to commence at 13:00 (SAST).
The tie will not be televised, but Pirates will provide live updates across their social media channels.
