Orlando Pirates legend Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi says his former club will not win a trophy this season after their 2-0 MTN8 final defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers were beaten by the Brazilians, who secured their first MTN8 title in five years. The result has damaged Orlando Pirates’ hopes of defending the treble they won last season.
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side now face a difficult challenge in their bid for further silverware, with Mamelodi Sundowns having made an impressive start to the campaign.
Vilakazi, who has previously praised Ouaddou’s team, believes Orlando Pirates will struggle to win a trophy, particularly if they meet Mamelodi Sundowns again in a domestic cup competition.
“Orlando Pirates won’t win a trophy this season. My reason is I’ve watched Sundowns this season, especially their past two games against the champions of Saudi Arabia (Asia) and against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final. I don’t see any team stopping Pirates except for Sundowns,” he said on the Omniaudio Africa podcast.
The former Orlando Pirates player also predicted that Mamelodi Sundowns would have the advantage if the sides faced each other in another cup final.
“If Pirates play Sundowns, they will lose. I see Sundowns taking everything this season. If they play the way they are playing now, I don’t see anyone stopping them, including Pirates.”
Vilakazi stressed that his assessment was not influenced by any lack of affection for the Soweto club, where he believes Sundowns are currently operating at a level no other team can match.
“I love Pirates with all of my heart and it is my home, but looking at Sundowns’ performance, they look unstoppable,” he added.
The MTN8 defeat means Orlando Pirates must regroup and focus on the other competitions still available to them this season. Their immediate task is to recover from the setback after last season’s treble-winning campaign was followed by an early blow in their attempt to retain their honours.
Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, will aim to use their cup triumph as a platform for a wider challenge for silverware. Their form has led Vilakazi to believe they are capable of overcoming Orlando Pirates again should the clubs meet in a future cup final, and that they can continue their pursuit of further honours this season.
