The Soweto giants were knocked out of the MTN8 and lost to SuperSport United in their first Absa Premiership game of the season.
However, Pirates are flying the flag high in the CAF Confederation Cup as they are on the brink of reaching the semi-finals of the continental competition.
“Look, one cannot start ringing the alarm bell because of their loss to SuperSport United,” Mkhalele tells snl24.com/kickoff.
“I am happy that the players are having a long break because they are now being affected by fatigue. This is a team that did not have a proper break because of their CAF Confederations Cup matches so the result is understandable.
“Pirates will bounce back because they have the depth and the players to be very competitive in both the League and the continental competitions.”
The Buccaneers next Chippa United in the League tomorrow, and Mkhalele suspects Eric Tinkler's men will be out to make a statement at Orlando Stadium.
“In a way, it is good that they lost that match because the coaches will be forced to think about how to deal with the fatigue of the players.
“They now need to come back strongly in their next League match because it is very important for a club as big as Pirates to do well in the League,” concludes the retired Bafana Bafana international.