Why ex-Pirates captain thinks players don’t care about winning the league

Unhappy ex-Orlando Pirates captain and legend Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi has explained why he thinks the players at the club don’t care about winning the DStv Premiership.

This season, the Soweto giants have successfully managed to defend their MTN8 title after an impressive run in Wafa Wafa.

But their performance when it comes to challenging their foe, Mamelodi Sundowns, for the Premiership title has been dismal.

In seven league matches, Orlando Pirates have only two wins, three draws and two defeats. The struggling Jose Reveiro’s lads are sitting at the 13th spot after collecting nine points from a possible 21.

They are 15 points behind log leaders Sundowns with only one game behind the flying Brazilians.

TSO VILAKAZI QUESTIONS BUCS PLAYERS’ COMMITMENT TO LEAGUE TITLE

“I think Pirates players’ mentality and commitment when it comes to league matches is totally different to cup games,” Vilakazi told FARPost.

“Look, even last season, they did the same things, winning cup matches but playing poorly when it comes to the league. This is confusing to me because we have a quality team and a good coach who is capable of doing well in all matches.

“I think it is time they change their attitude when it comes to league matches. When you play for Pirates, you must fight to win everything which the league offers.”

The former Bafana Bafana international also revealed that he has already given up on the hope that Pirates can still challenge Sundowns for the PSL title despite being only seven matches into the new season.

“Sundowns have not been playing league matches for a while because of their commitment in the Africa Football League, but they are still at the top,” he said.

“With the quality team we have, I had hoped that we would fight for the PSL title, but now I think it’s over. I don’t think we can still catch up with Sundowns. It hurts a lot, but we have to face reality.”

Pirates face struggling and bottom-of-the-table side Cape Town Spurs in their next league encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.

RELATED STORY: Tso Vilakazi on who Ox Mthethwa must replace in Chiefs’ midfield

By Tshifhiwa Luvhengo