MATSHELANE MAMABOLO
BRUCE Ramokadi, like most Orlando Pirates faithful no doubt, would love nothing more than to see the Buccaneers become the first South African team to add a second star above the club’s crest.
“We were the first ones to be African champions and we must lead the way in winning a second. Pirates must do it before (Mamelodi) Sundowns,” said Ramokadi, who was in that history-making team of 1995 that won the continent’s premier knockout cup.
A young attacker back then, the now-retired Ramokadi believes Jose Riveiro’s team have what it takes to conquer Africa like they did and he is hopeful that they learnt a valuable lesson from last season’s campaign.
Pirates were knocked out of the competition in the preliminary round by Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy on penalties, the South Africans having evidently taken their adversaries lightly by fielding a second-string team against them.
“Of course the Champions League is not an easy competition to win. But Pirates’ failure last year was of their own doing. They took that team from Botswana lightly and I hope that they take each opponent seriously this time.”
Do that, Ramokadi believes, and Pirates could be on their way to continental glory 30 years after that incredible victory against Asec Mimosas in Abidjan via a Jerry Sikhosana goal that sent Ivory Coast into mourning.
Pirates begin their campaign this weekend with a tie against Madagascar’s Disciples out in Mauritius because their opposition’s stadium in Antananarivo has been deemed unfit to host the match. Interestingly, should they progress to the next stage after the two legs, the Buccaneers could come up against Galaxy who are matched up against African Stars of Namibia.
“It was painful last year, the way they lost. But I think they can go further in the competition this time,” Ramokadi said.
“From what I saw of them during their pre-season in Spain, they are very improved. Unlike in the past where they were more individualistic, Pirates work as a team now. They play for each other, and I think that is going to be their biggest strength for the Champions League.
“That’s what wins you matches on the continent, being a tight unit and working together, supporting each other on the pitch and being a team.
“Of course, individual moments of brilliance like that one that Jerry produced in Abidjan are needed, but even then we won that Champions Cup because of teamwork.”
Ramokadi believes southern African clubs have grown in continental football over the past few years, and that this augurs well for Pirates.
“It looks to me as though the standard of the clubs from the north and most particularly from the west of Africa has seemed to drop. And southern African teams have improved and caught up, as Sundowns have showed us.
“We even had Sekhukhune United competing in the group stages last year. So that is a good sign, and Pirates must just take every match seriously and not underestimate any opposition. They have the team and the squad to challenge for the title.”
It would be grand, Ramokadi says, were Pirates to win the continent’s premier club knockout competition on the 30th anniversary of when his class brought glory to the club.
“We need that second star. The wait has been too long.”
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC will also be playing this weekend in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round. The Winelands outfit are away to Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs on Saturday.