Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has thrown his support behind Orlando Pirates after their CAF Champions League dream came to a heartbreaking end in Cairo, insisting the Buccaneers should hold their heads high for what they achieved on the continent this season.
Pirates were narrowly edged 3-2 by Egyptian giants Pyramids FC at the 30 June Stadium in a tense semi-final second leg. The result ended their hopes of setting up a historic all-South African final, with Mamelodi Sundowns advancing to the showpiece event after eliminating Al Ahly on away goals.
Speaking in the aftermath of the result, Mngqithi — a former CAF Champions League winner with Sundowns in 2016 as Pitso Mosimane’s assistant — expressed pride in Pirates’ journey and the broader strides made by South African clubs in continental football.
“I wouldn't even want to go to the last stage of the South African final,” Mngqithi said.
“I think personally we should just be proud of how much impact and improvement South African football has had in the past few years.”
“To see Pirates back in the Champions League and going as far as they went? For me, that was very positive,” Mngqithi continued. “Sometimes we forget that maybe the previous season they could not even come out of the group or maybe not even reach the quarter-finals. But when you see them going as far as they did, you should be very proud.”
Read: Official: Pirates Announce Riveiro Decision
Mngqithi also credited the national team’s resurgence under Hugo Broos as a driving factor behind club performances, noting that players are now more motivated to perform consistently at club level to stay in the Bafana Bafana setup.
“The PSL has really improved in leaps and bounds and maybe also take some time to appreciate the work that the national team has done. With the national team doing well, these teams and players are forced to give an A-game in their clubs.”
The Arrows mentor went on to heap praise on another surprise continental contender, Stellenbosch FC, who reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup in a landmark campaign.
“Personally, I'm just a proud South African with the impact that South Africa is making. Look at Stellenbosch — who would have thought they would be in the semi-final of the Confederation Cup? And they were there, and they were strong,” he added.
Read: Riveiro Breaks His Silence On Pirates Exit
