Bucs must follow the script of their 1995 team

THE FOOTBALL gods, in all their infinite wisdom, keep scripting Orlando Pirates’ Caf Confederation Cup run as a sequel to their 1995 Champions League campaign that resulted in them being crowned African champions.

Just like the outfit did 20 years ago, they will go into the second leg against Etoile du Sahel on Sunday in Sousse with a different man wearing the armband. In 1995, Innocent Mncwango captained the Buccaneers in the first leg, but was suspended for the return leg.

Edward “Magents” Motale led the outfit in Mncwango’s absence in Ivory Coast against Asec Mimosas, then called Asec Abidjan.

Happy Jele, who was mentored by – and shares a nickname with – Motale, will miss the return leg after picking up a booking in the 1-1 draw with Sahel at Orlando on Saturday night.

Jele watched the 1995 final as an eight-year-old with his uncle, a staunch Pirates fan, where he not only fell in love with the club, but also Motale, and went on to play in the same position as him.

“We’re disappointed because of the goal we conceded,” Jele said.

“But it is a good result for us. We don’t want to lose. The coach tried to motivate us because we still have 90 minutes to play. It is important for us to go there, play for the country and enjoy the occasion.

“We won’t be under pressure because they will be playing at home, so we have to enjoy ourselves and the rest will take care of itself.

“The class of 1995 were in a similar situation to us. They conceded two goals. They went to Asec and scored one goal (that won them the title). It’s all about having the belief. If we believe that, we can do it.”

Eric Tinkler has a similar attitude, positive that the club will continue with their impressive run on the road. It’s a different attitude to the one Joe Frickleton adopted after the 2-2 draw in the first leg in 1995, arguing it’s a tough ask to go to Abidjan and get a win.

That didn’t impress the club’s chairman, Irvin Khoza, who axed the coach. His assistant, Ronald Mkhandawire, took over the reins in the second leg.

“We have to go there and look for a goal. Can we do it? Yes, we can. We have the quality to do it,” Tinkler said. “We didn’t lose this game. They just have an away goal advantage. If we can go there and score, we take the advantage to us.”

The script is there, now all that’s missing is for someone to be the hero, as Jerry Sikhosana was 20 years ago.