Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi sends a stern warning to his former club ahead of their 2024-2025 CAF Champions League match against Disciples FC.
Having fallen at the first hurdle last season in the CAF Champions League after a defeat to Botswana based club Jwaneng Galaxy FC, Pirates legend Lekgwathi has warned Jose Riveiro’s men to avoid the same fate this season.
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Speaking to one of the leading publications in South Africa and Africa, Idiski Times, the former South African international, adviced and warned the club to avoid the first round qualification round exit like they did last season.
“What happened last season should not happen, and I think it was a learning curve for the coach,” Lekgwathi told iDiski Times.
“Playing away and you are playing with your so-called B team, and you want to come back home and say I’ll cover the score, or I’ll settle the score and start playing your first team players.
“I think for him it was a learning curve. You play away, play your first team players, win the game, come back to SA and put some of your senior or regular players on the bench and when things don’t go well, you put them in.
“So, I think it was a learning curve for the coach and even the players to not undermine teams from our neighbouring countries.
“That team got to the group stages after beating Orlando Pirates, beating Orlando Pirates took them further. They beat one of the best teams in Africa.
“The coach needs to make sure he plays his best team away. Let’s stop undermining teams because football has changed.
“Marumo Gallants reached the semi-finals [of the CONFED Cup] and look at Polokwane City now they reached the top 8 and [Kaizer] Chiefs are not there It shows there are no longer small teams or small countries,” he concluded.
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The clash between the Sea Robbers and Disciples will be played at the Cote D’OR National Sports Complex in Saint Pierre, Madagascar, and will not be televised for South African viewers.