Retired midfielder Isaac Chansa believes no DStv Premiership club comes near Orlando Pirates when it comes to their never-say-die spirit.
Although winning the league title has been elusive, the Buccaneers have shown that they mean business by winning cup titles. Pirates won three trophies in the last four years, two MTN8 Cup titles and one Nedbank Cup title.
Though no DStv Premiership club has really gave Mamelodi Sundowns a good run for the money, Chansa appluads his former team’s fighting spirit.
CHANSA SAYS PIRATES NEED MORE THAN JUST A FIGHTING SPIRIT
However the retired, Zambian footballer reckons Jose Riveiro and his men need more than just fighting spirit to close the gap between them and Sundowns.
“This season, they have shown that good character is needed as a team, as a group. I think we have a good group,” Chansa told FARPost.
“They are number two, I think you can see the fighting spirit. Now they know what the coach wants. For me, it’s the quality of players. Nothing more. And also the philosophy that Sundowns are using is different, to that being used by Pirates.
“Those are the two main factors. Right now, they just have to keep pushing with the available players.”
PIRATES LACK THE QUALITY TO KEEP UP WITH SUNDOWNS
They might have won trophies in recent times but the 2012 AFCON winner admits Pirates are still far behind Sundowns.
Chansa said, his former paymasters lack the quality needed to challenge the mean machine assembled by Rulani Mokwena.
“Sundowns have the quality because they’re able to acquire whoever they want. They have the financial muscle. Sundowns have a big budget. It’s all about the budgets,” he added.
“Pirates don’t have such, that is why there is a big gap and we don’t know how long it will take to cover it. In terms of quality, Pirates are very much behind.”
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