As Orlando Pirates gear up to re-enter the CAF Champions League this season, former club star Lucky Lekgwathi has shared some valuable advice with current coach Jose Riveiro.
Lekgwathi, who captained the team during their double treble wins in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons, also played a key role in their run to the Champions League final in 2013.
Despite coming close to adding another star to their badge, the team fell short against the formidable Egyptian side, Al Ahly, in the two-legged final.
Last season, Orlando Pirates faced an unexpected early exit from the CAF Champions League, losing to Jwaneng Galaxy in the second preliminary round.
Lekgwathi attributes this defeat to the decision to field less experienced players in the first leg, which placed unnecessary pressure on the team to recover in the second leg—a challenge they couldn’t overcome.
A Winning Strategy
Lekgwathi’s advice to Riveiro is straightforward: deploy your strongest team from the start.
He suggests that starting with regular players in the initial matches can help build a comfortable lead, making it easier to secure qualification in the later rounds.
“We lost because we played a B team,” Lekgwathi explained in an interview with FARPost. “If you start with your regular players away, and build a lead—say, 3 or 4 goals—you can then afford to use less regular players at home.”
He emphasizes the importance of fielding your best players in away games to ensure a strong position before returning home.
Learning from the Best
Lekgwathi also advises Orlando Pirates to learn from Mamelodi Sundowns, who have solidified their status as African football giants.
Reflecting on past experiences, he acknowledges the value in adapting and evolving strategies based on successful teams.
“When Pitso was with Sundowns, he learned from Pirates, so now it’s our turn to learn from Sundowns. They’ve learned from us, and we need to put aside our pride and learn from them,” Lekgwathi said. “The good news is that we have the depth and talent to compete on all fronts.”
Despite the setbacks, Lekgwathi believes that with the right approach, Orlando Pirates can build on their experiences and aim for greater success in this season’s CAF Champions League.