Contrary to the general sentiment out there, former Orlando Pirates super-sub Andries "Local is Lekker" Sebola is not convinced by the team's results so far in their pre-season tour of Spain.
The Buccaneers are in Europe, where they are holding their pre-season camp, with a schedule where three games have been fitted into seven days, from 12-19 July.
So far, Jose Riveiro's men haven't lost any of their friendly matches having drawn 2-2 against Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle, who ply their trade in the English Championship, defeating La Liga outfit Sevilla 2-0 and then allowing Spanish Segunda Division side Granada to come back for 1-all draw.
Pirates face Qatar Stars League side Al Sadd SC on Friday at 19:30 (SA time).
READ: Half the price for a Ferrari? How Chiefs won Dortley race
"It's all about self-motivation for the coming new season. Winning against those smaller teams that have been fielding smaller players shouldn't fool Pirates," Sebola says, speaking to KickOff.
"Against Wayne Rooney's team, most players Rooney put in were youngsters. He was trying to see how will they shape up, and they played to a 2-2 draw.
"In the second game, they beat Sevilla, but Sevilla were playing with their reserve team, so Pirates can't get carried away and say so far we haven't lost a game.
"We drew on Wednesday, so they mustn't think they are on top of the world because the other PSL teams are also preparing.
"Yes, [Mamelodi] Sundowns have lost two games in a row in their pre-season friendlies [in Austria], but that doesn't mean Pirates are favourites to win the league title," he adds.
Sebola then cited the example of Kaizer Chiefs, saying they have in the past won friendly matches, only to flatter to deceive when it came down to the real business of the league.
"So, the teams that Pirates have been playing in Spain are also there for their pre-season preparation. They are testing their youngsters, they want them to gel with the bigger ones.
"I remember the words of Wayne Rooney after the 2-2 draw, saying after the match [that] Pirates players were jubilant, happy and dancing. You cannot do that because, first of all, Rooney played with youngsters.
"Pirates must still work and continue to prepare for them to compete in the league. This season, let's forget [about] the cup competitions and compete for the league and the CAF Champions League," emphasises the former striker.
Asked where he thinks Riveiro can bolster his team having already made a few signings, the most prominent of whom is Gilberto from Angola, he says a defender and a striker need to be brought in.
"I'm not yet convinced by Evidence Makgopa's performance. He is injury-prone. You can see when he is playing, his knees are always heavily strapped. You can tell he is feeling small pains in his knees.
READ: Another departure at Sundowns
"Tshegofatso Mabasa, as well, is not the same Mabasa we saw last season when he became the Top Goalscorer. This season, PSL teams will be tight on him.
"Yes, Gilberto is a good signing, even though there will be a big competition in his position. There are still players like [Karim] Kimvuidi and [Relebohile] Mofokeng, so they are well-balanced in the middle. Pirates need a striker."