EzikaMagebhula has one foot in the CAF final following their 2-0 away win in the first leg of the semi-final against Al Ahly Tripoli in Libya on Sunday.
"I feel it will be a consolation but not altogether because at least they would have won something," Makhanya tells KickOff.
"But it's always noticeable that Pirates need to do well even locally because we want to see Pirates competing with Sundowns in the Champions League.
"But winning the Confederations Cup at least will heal the hearts of all the Buccaneers.
"But going forward they still need to regroup and do things better."
In the other alternate semi-final, TP Mazembe holds a 1-0 advantage over RS Berkane.
"The chances are there because if you look at the remaining clubs, only Mazembe and Berkane can give Pirates a real test.
"But I still feel it's there for the taking, the guys must just try to score more goals when the Libyans come to South Africa.
"As that's been the challenge this season, recently they went three matches without scoring a goal.
"I feel Mazembe are not the powerhouse of before, and Pirates always do well against them.
"But Berkane can still pull off a comeback because the North African teams are better structured and better organised.
"So it's always difficult to break them down, but Mazembe are beatable."