Form is nothing without trophies
Joseph “Dukuduku” Makhanya was a prominent member of the Orlando Pirates squad that was showered with praises for playing enterprising football yet failed to win any silverware under Serbian coach Kosta Papic between 2004 and 2006.
Makhanya, 36, has been impressed by the brand of football the Buccaneers display under Milutin Sredojevic this season but warns his former club to guard against falling into the same trap as his generation.
“The transformation under coach Micho [Sredojevic] is starting to yield positive results but what is more important is to win a trophy. Good football must go hand in hand with winning trophies,’’ Makhanya told Sowetan.
“I think they [current Bucs players] learnt from us that good football without silverware is never enough.
“I know they’re still re-building but winning something this season would set them for more trophies next season. I have noticed that now they are playing with purpose and they have a balanced squad.”
Since crashing out of the Nedbank Cup in the last 16 a fortnight ago, Pirates are now contesting only for the league title. They are second on the Absa Premiership log, trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by a point but the Brazilians have a game in hand.
“They’re on the right track to challenge Sundowns all the way. The game in hand is not points, so anything is possible if they stay focused. I’m hoping Downs stumble so that Pirates capitalise on that,” noted the retired winger who played in 130 games for Bucs.
Makhanya, alongside the likes of Lebohang Mokoena and Steve Lekoelea, among others, were loved by the Bucs’ faithful for their attractive football. Though their run under Papic was barren, they were dubbed “Uncrowned Kings” while the club’s fans were also called “Happy People”.