Former Orlando Pirates striker Bruce Ramokgadi insists even an MTN8 final win will ease the embarrassment of failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stages on Friday.
The Buccaneers were defeated by Jwaneng Galaxy on penalties in a preliminary round CAF Champions League clash.
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"The whole of South Africa is disappointed, no one saw it coming," Ramokgadi tells KickOff.
"Losing to a team from Botswana means there is still a long way to go.
"It means there is still a lot of work to be done. Pirates need to learn to play as a team, they do have the required players.
"They are just not confident enough, especially at the back, central defenders and the strikers.
"I don't understand how they allowed Mabasa to leave. Mabasa was doing well.
"I'm sure even people in Botswana were thinking this was going to be a walkover for Pirates.
"Football has evolved, these days players are playing for the coach, not for themselves.
"They are playing not to make mistakes, and that's because they want to keep their place in the team.
"In football, the biggest mistake you can make is to be scared to make mistakes. Sport is about making mistakes.
"The Champions League was the main target for Pirates.
"Last season, they worked so hard Pirates to qualify for the Champions League.
"But now, for them to let it go just like that it does not make sense.
"There is no trophy that matches the Champions League, that's why even the likes of Al Ahly in Egypt fire a coach each time they lose in the Champions League."
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