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Orlando Pirates deserve a standing ovation for last night’s performance that left their destiny firmly in their hands in becoming the first South African club to reach the CAF Confederation semi-finals since the formation of this second-tier competition in 2004.
Pirates sent yet another reminder that they can endure the long trips to North Africa and still come back alive following a spirited showing against CS Sfaxien that had Thabo Rakhale scoring the decisive goal.
The Bucs have all my respect for showing the courage to rise up and be brave warriors in the humid conditions of the coastal town of Sfax that drained so much energy out of them it made me wonder if they will have really recovered for another high intensity battle this Saturday in the hyped up pre-season Soweto Derby contest dished out as the Carling Black Label Cup.
Those are the kind of performances that should be celebrated because they prove that South African football is not always about sissy characters who whine at the mere mention of every trip that takes them anywhere north of the Limpopo.
Just like in Europe proving your worth in continental competitions – whether Champions League or Confederation Cup – should be the ultimate stage to test yourself as an African club that wants to be known as a powerhouse and that has big ambitions that stretch beyond just being known as national champions.
That desire to show the continent that they want to be feared, respected and known as a force was written all over the faces of Pirates' players last night against a Sfaxien team whose quality can never be doubted especially considering how they made use of the ball in their build-ups.
However, EzikaMagebhula showed character and were stubborn enough not to allow the hosts to penetrate with Brighton Mhlongo showing that he is up to the challenge of being a reliable pair of hands between the posts under any conditions and against any opponent.
There is absolutely no doubt that the 24-year-old is growing in confidence and getting better with each game played, especially in CAF contests where he gets to be tested in different ways that will come in handy when he eventually starts making his way to Bafana Bafana. With such performances Equatorial Guinea keeper Felipe Evono might just have to wait longer before he starts playing.
Ntsikelelo Nyauza fought at right-back and gave one of his best showings even in situations where his area was being flooded with dangerous balls.
Thabo Matlaba was his usual busy self down the wing before going out injured midway through the second half having already used way too much energy for someone who spent just under 70 minutes on the pitch.
Veteran defender Siyabonga Sangweni sent reminders that being calm in the face of adversity comes with experience as he remained a stabilising unit in dealing with all that was being thrown at them by the hosts. Sangweni was an inspiration leading the war cry that had ‘we are not cowards’ as its chorus.
Lanky defender Happy Jele stood firm, giving one of those displays which prove yet again that with his height he is more suited to play as a central defender than in the right-back position that he has played for most of his 10 years at Pirates.
In midfield Oupa Manyisa didn’t have his best game but what mattered was that he never gave up and upon realising that he wasn’t having the best of touches on the ball he burnt a lot of calories doing off the ball work… hallmarks of a man wearing the armband.
Senegalese midfield anchor Issa Sarr showed again that he is made for these kind of games which involve having a fearless approach and huge engine.
Out wide Sifiso Myeni and Rakhale were not your typical luxury players who belong in the fancy and flowery category but they also raised their hands when it came to dropping deep into their own half to work when the team didn’t have the ball.
Up front Thamsanqa Gabuza’s style might not be appreciated by those who prefer entertaining players but Eric Tinkler knows that his big forward does a lot of work that is not easily noticeable to those in the stands. The former Golden Arrows man was dropping quickly into the ‘hole’ when Sfax had the ball and really made his presence felt to the Tunisians who were evidently glad when he was pulled off with 10 minutes remaining.
Gabuza’s partner Lehlohonolo Majoro was moving around with his usual intelligence and trying as much as possible to be a nuisance in the same way that his replacement Kermit Erasmus did after replacing him.
If the rest of the local clubs – especially the other big ones like Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns – don’t get inspired by the kind of performances being shown by Pirates in Africa then they are short sighted in their ambitions.
That Pirates showing had tenacity written all over it and will earn the PSL the kind of respect that league should already be having but which it has consistently failed to earn due to the inability of most its clubs to stand up in Africa and be counted amongst the big boys.
After all, for all the resources available to South African football this league should be having clubs that are able to at least reach the last four of continental club competitions every year in the same way that clubs in Egypt have done.
However, that was a courageous showing by The Bucs that is worthy of giving everyone associated not only with Pirates but also with the PSL reason to be proud.
Keep it up!
Up The Bucs!