Orlando Pirates legend Benedict Tso Vilakazi believes his former club might crash out in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
This comes after the Buccaneers were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Madagascar champions Disciples FC in the first leg of the preliminary round in Mauritius on Sunday. Jose Riveiro’s men did not show any signs of urgency in the match and might be in for a surprise in the second leg.
Vilakazi expressed his disappointment after Orlando Pirates failed to win another CAF CL match.
“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].
Orlando Pirates legend Tso worried about their CAF chances
“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,” he said.
Orlando Pirates have not reached the quarter-finals of the CAF CL in a decade. Tso is worried that the Madagascan side might eliminate the Buccaneers on home turf this Friday.
“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,” Vilakazi added.
Orlando Pirates will host the return leg this Friday looking to advance to the second round of the CAF Champions League.
How far can Pirates go in the Champions League?
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