They are playing nonsense
On Pirates’ performance this season
You want my honest truth or lies? They are playing nonsense, if the truth is what you want. I’m battling to understand why they win CAF Confederation Cup games and lose domestic games. It’s almost as if they only care about continental glory and don’t want to win locally. It doesn’t make sense. It’s either you win or don’t – that’s the philosophy we were taught at (Orlando) Pirates. I feel the guys don’t know the brand they are playing for. I don’t think they respect the Pirates badge. Playing for Pirates comes with good money, but at the same time, it comes with a lot of responsibility. They need to understand the responsibility before the money.
On the absence of fans at the stadiums
I still say most of the guys don’t know who and what they are playing for. Perhaps the day Pirates fans return to the stadiums, they will grasp it fully. When they get sworn and screamed at, they will get it. They are not feeling any pressure at all right now. I still remember how I’d fear the fans if I wasn’t playing well. I’ll never forget the day the fans confronted us after one training session at the Johannesburg Stadium. They were old grannies, they were upset and swearing at us… we couldn’t even have a say. They were telling us we were misusing their hard-earned money. The quality in the team right now is more than what we had during my time there, but we had passion and understood the badge.
On the co-coaches in charge
They are coaches, but they aren’t coaches. Take nothing away from coach Mandla (Ncikazi) and coach Fadlu (Davids), maybe they are at a wrong team. I don’t see them lasting there. They are trainers at Pirates, not coaches. There is no structure at Pirates. I even told coach Mandla the same thing at the derby game the other day. Until they stop training the team and actually coach it, we won’t go anywhere. The day Floyd (Mbele, administrative officer) and Bra Screamer (Tshabalala, elder of the club) stop getting involved, Pirates will start winning. They have too much powers. Even if the team gets a new coach, he won’t manage, for as long as Bra Stan is there. I love this team with all my heart and it’s disturbing. I’ll put my head on the block,
Bra Stan and Floyd must just leave Pirates because they are the ones making the team lose, they interfere too much. They know it themselves; the players of now and before know it. Those two coaches can do everything in their power, but as long as they don’t determine who plays, they are doomed.
On the current crop of strikers at Bucs
Look, I haven’t watched (Kwame) Peprah that much, but the little I’ve seen from him, he’s more of a defensive striker. But I don’t blame him, the team isn’t winning, it becomes difficult for him at times. He’s a good player, he’s our top striker at the moment and the guys need to protect him and play around him. I still feel (Gabadinho) Mhango deserves to play. I don’t know why he isn’t in the team because he must play. What did he do that’s so big that they can’t play him? Football politics will always be there. I also had my moments when I had differences with the coaches, but we all put them aside for the sake of the team. Results are not coming and you can’t tell me Peprah and (Tshegofatso) Mabasa can do better than Mhango.
On who should coach Pirates next
Dan “Dance” Malesela. With the material at Pirates right now,
I wish they can give coach Dan a chance. He played for Pirates, they should give him an opportunity because I believe he can make a huge difference at Pirates. And they must not interfere in his plans. He can turn things around for us.
On Thembinkosi Lorch
Everyone expects him to perform and he’s not been doing that. Yes, injuries hampered his progress, but he hasn’t given his best recently. I’ve played football and I’ll never be too hard on players, but what I can say to Lorch is that sometimes when one is in a comfort zone, not much will challenge you. You’ll think everything is fine but it’s not. Lorch must wake up now. Fans can turn on players quickly and he must realise that when he isn’t playing or playing well, they can change on him. Not everyone will like you, especially when you are down – he needs to understand that now. He needs to shut out the outside noise and focus on his football. There’s too much hype around him and I’m worried that will distract him. He needs to concentrate on the game because that will secure his future for him and his family.
Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Former Orlando Pirates striker
The Team of the Week is based on games played the previous week (Tuesday to Monday).