Lucky warns Bucs: Beware Celtic jinx

Orlando Pirates fans were in full voice. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates fans were in full voice. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Published Apr 22, 2017

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JOHANNESBURG – Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi has warned that the team should guard against complacency when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final on Saturday (8.30pm).

Failure to do so, Lekgwathi reasons, might see the Sea Robbers fail to grab their only chance of winning some silverware this season.

Lekgwathi, who captained the Sea Robbers to six trophies (two Absa Premiership titles, two MTN8 trophies, the Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout cup) in the space of two seasons during his playing days, said it was crucial that Pirates switch on to the demands of the club and their myriad of fans.

“I always referred to Bloem Celtic as a hoodoo team during my playing days,” Lekgwathi said.

“They always 'turned up' each time they played us. I remember back in 2012, they beat us (5-4) on penalties after having played to a 3-3 draw in the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout. They equalised after each time we scored.

“I believe they haven’t changed one bit,” Lekgwathi added.

“You should also remember that this is a side that beat Pirates (2-1) in a league tie before we went into the midseason break.

“They are going into this match all fired up.

“They know Pirates can be beaten, current form notwithstanding.

“Pirates need to be careful, that’s all.”

Asked if he thought the Sea Robbers had finally turned the corner in what has been a difficult season following their recent four-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, the former Pirates skipper said: “Players changed their attitudes; that’s it.

“The club went through a tough time in this campaign mainly because of that. Players didn’t want to perform under the previous coaches for reasons, to this day, I do not know.

“Look at Oupa Manyisa for example. He went through a slump for a long time and now, all of a sudden, he knows how to play brilliantly again.

“The arrival of a new coach can have that effect on players and that’s mainly because they have a lot to prove to the new coach.

“It's a mental thing, really.

“I now hope that they continue with the same attitude they’ve been showing recently for the remainder of the season.

“It would be good for the club, and of course the supporters.”

With the Premiership title now out of their reach, the 40-year-old former defender advised that the one thing Pirates should focus on is doing their st to win the Nedbank Cup and finish in the top eight.

“I believe they can do it,” Lekgwathi said.

“That’s what we did in the 2012/13 season.

“We knew the league title was out of our reach, so we focused on finishing in the top eight and clinched the Nedbank Cup.

“This is what the current group of players need to do.

“They must fight to the finish and I am confident they can do it.

"They are skilful, talented and a wonderful team. The confidence is back. It can be done.”

@Mohau_Ra

The Star

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