Bucs drew 2-2 in the first leg away in Gabon, with Thabo Rakhale and Lehlohonolo Majoro securing two crucial away goals ahead of Saturday’s reverse encounter in Johannesburg.
As the only PSL team left in African competition, former Pirates midfielder Thabo Mngomeni feels Buc’s previous experiences on the continent is what has kept them in the competition.
“It’s true that they’ve been there before, they know the situation and that’s what has kept them going,” the 45-year-old tells snl24.com/kickoff, before lamenting the fact that they weren’t able to replicate that form in domestic competition.
“But I’m disappointed: they are going well in Africa, but what about here? That’s my problem.”
Mngomeni feels the players used in CAF competition this season is what has made a difference, and hopes his former club can continue their good run to the latter stages of the tournament.
“I think the players they use when they are playing away are mostly players that are not playing, so they always have to prove something ,” he says. “I just hope they can stay longer in the tournament, and maybe reach the semi-finals of the final … that would be lovely!”
Saturday’s clash against Mounana, who have won all of their first three matches in the Gabonese league, is scheduled for 20:15 at Orlando Stadium.