Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Goodman Mazibuko has delivered a candid assessment of the club’s CAF Champions League elimination, laying bare what the exit means for the Buccaneers’ aspiration: a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Soweto giants were recently booted out of Africa’s premier club competition by DR Congo side FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo.
After suffering a 3-0 away defeat in the Second Preliminary Round, Pirates fought back in the home leg to win 3-0. But they agonisingly lost in the penalty shootouts and failed to advance to the group stage.
Bowing out of the Champions League was a blemish on coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s promising Pirates project. The setback came after the team made major strides last season, reaching the semi-finals of the competition. But Ouaddou has so far failed to build on that.
THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF PIRATES’ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT
The continental competition is used to rank and pick teams that will participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. Consistency in this tournament earned Mamelodi Sundowns a berth at the 2025 edition.
The next Club World Cup is in 2029, and clubs have already started bidding for that ticket, leaving Pirates with a missed opportunity to pick up points this season in the Champions League.
However, they can bounce back next season, and Mazibuko feels all is not lost.
“Pirates are one of the big teams not only in South Africa but on the continent of Africa as well. Also, they have won so many trophies. They have experience in Africa, which I think now they must win things. It’s really a big blow being out of the Champions League,” Mazibuko told FARPost.
“They just need to make sure that they are consistent in their performance in the Champions League next season or any other competition, so that their morale is high all the time. They are a big team that has many players to do that [help them go to the Club World Cup].
“A big yes, quality is there, it’s just that they must believe in themselves and play all the games like a Cup final.”
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