Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benedict Tso Vilakazi has warned his former side that their CAF Champions League progression might be a short one if they continue playing like they are warming up.
Pirates were held to a goalless draw by Madagascar champions Disciples FC in the first leg of the preliminary round in Mauritius on Sunday. The South African side wasn’t threatened by their less fancied opponents but didn’t show dominance themselves in a game most expected them to win, as they opened their account in Africa’s premium club competition with a disappointing stalemate.
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Tso says his former side needs to take things serious or they may not even make the group stage let alone the quarterfinals, something he wishes for them.
“I’m disappointed because I can’t say that Pirates can reach the quarterfinals while they are playing like this in the qualifying stages of the group stage,” Tso said on iDiski TV.
“There is no time because while you are still playing like this you will be knocked out and complain that you want to play in the AFL while you are busy warming up here [CAF CL].
“There is no time. When you want to play with the big teams you need to take every game serious. For me they played like they were tired and just wanted to play the game and finish.
“I have been saying Pirates should get to the quarter-finals or semi-finals but if you are going to play like this, you are not even going to manage to go to the first round because your game, your tempo determines where you are going. I’m worried because a team like that can hit you unexpectedly. I mean just think of those seconds before the game ended that chance they missed. My worry is that if these guys can get a similar chance and manage to punish us, we are out. Another thing is that it is a draw and who is under pressure, it’s Pirates.”
