Orlando Pirates legend Johnny Masegela questions Champions League title credentials

Orlando Pirates legend Johnny “Black Sunday” Masegela says the club must improve its cohesion if it is to mount a serious challenge for the CAF Champions League this season.

Masegela believes the Buccaneers have depended too heavily on individual performances, despite taking a positive result from the first leg against African Stars.

Pirates are expected to complete the tie in the second leg in Orlando, but Masegela has warned the players against losing focus.

“After winning the first leg against African Stars, there will be no excuse for Pirates to lose the second leg in Orlando,” Masegela told KickOff.

“However, they should guard against complacency, and the players should support whoever is selected for the second leg.”

He remains unconvinced by their prospects of earning a second star, arguing that the team has not yet developed the understanding required to win the competition.

“As for their chances of winning a second star, the Pirates players have not yet developed enough cohesion to win the Champions League,” he said.

“They have been winning games, but we are not convinced.”

Masegela calls for greater focus on the team

Masegela said praise for individual players, including Phopho, whose official name is Mpho Padime, has overshadowed the need to assess Pirates as a collective.

“At this stage, only individuals are being praised at Pirates,” he said. “People are talking about Phopho [Mpho Padime] and others instead of discussing the team as a whole.”

He added that a club pursuing success in the CAF Champions League should place the emphasis on its overall structure rather than single out players.

“For a club pursuing the Champions League, the focus should be on the team, not on individuals,” Masegela said. “Players should not be singled out.”

The former Pirates figure also questioned the team’s stability, pointing out that it remains unclear who will start the second leg this week.

“For example, nobody can predict who will start in the second leg this week,” he said. “The coach is still trying to settle on his starting line-up for the season.”

Masegela acknowledged that Pirates have players capable of making an impact, but said the correct combinations have yet to be established.

“There is still work to be done, so it remains to be seen whether Pirates will be serious Champions League contenders this season,” he said.

“The team has good players; it is simply a matter of establishing the right combinations.”

He also suggested that some players may be treating Pirates as a route to future moves instead of concentrating on creating a united team, following the success of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

“At present, the players seem to view the club as a platform to move elsewhere, following the success of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, rather than focusing on building cohesion as a team,” Masegela said.