Former Orlando Pirates winger and club legend Lebohang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena has voiced strong criticism of coach Jose Riveiro and the Buccaneers’ players, blaming both parties for the team’s disappointing exit from the CAF Champions League. Pirates were eliminated in the semi-finals by Egyptian side Pyramids FC, who secured a 3-2 aggregate victory.
After a tightly contested 0-0 draw in the first leg in Soweto, the South African giants travelled to Cairo with everything to play for. Despite taking the lead twice in the second leg at the 30 June Stadium, the Buccaneers were unable to hold on, allowing Pyramids to fight back and clinch a 3-2 win. The result saw the Egyptians book a spot in the final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Players Slammed for Poor Game Management
In a candid appearance on the Soccer Beat podcast, Mokoena did not mince his words as he pointed out what he believed went wrong. The former winger laid much of the blame on the players’ inability to manage the game effectively after gaining the advantage on two occasions.
“I’m going to be honest—this one’s on the players,” Mokoena said. “We had the game in our grasp. Sometimes you’re given a chance once, twice, and if you waste it, you won’t get a third. The players gave it away. We had control, but we couldn’t close it out.”
He further expressed frustration at the team’s lack of composure in key moments, especially after scoring. “We were leading 2-1, and immediately after that, we conceded. What happened to game management? There should have been leadership on the field to slow things down and frustrate the opposition.”
Set-Piece Vulnerability Exposed Again
Mokoena highlighted the team’s continued struggles with defending set-pieces, an area where North African teams traditionally pose a major threat. He questioned the team’s preparation and discipline in handling such situations.
“We knew Pyramids would use set-pieces to hurt us, but we didn’t deal with them effectively. That’s disappointing because this isn’t new. Every team that goes to North Africa knows what to expect—it’s a standard tactic,” Mokoena said.
He also suggested that Pirates needed to adopt some of the tactics used by their opponents to control the tempo. “Why didn’t Sipho Chaine use delaying tactics like the North Africans often do? It’s part of the game. You can’t be naive at this level.”
Questionable Substitutions Under Fire
Beyond the players, Mokoena also directed sharp criticism toward coach Jose Riveiro for his tactical decisions, particularly the substitutions made in the second half. He was especially puzzled by the withdrawal of winger Mohau Nkota, who had been a consistent threat on the break.
“You need someone to stretch the opposition and give you an outlet under pressure,” he said. “Nkota was our quickest player and was troubling their defence. Taking him off was a mistake. We lost our shape and momentum after that.”
Defensive Pairing Lacked Communication
Mokoena didn’t spare the defensive pairing either. He questioned the combination of Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi at centre-back, saying their lack of communication and positional awareness cost the team.
“There was confusion between the two. At one point, both were going for the same ball. That’s unacceptable in a game of this magnitude. We needed a leader at the back—someone to organize and calm things down when pressure mounted.”
Next Steps for Orlando Pirates
With Orlando Pirates now out of the Champions League, the focus shifts back to domestic competitions. However, Mokoena’s comments reflect broader concerns about the team’s mentality and tactical maturity on the continental stage.
Supporters will now look to see how Riveiro responds to this setback. With expectations high and criticism mounting, the pressure is on the coach and his players to regroup and ensure that such missed opportunities do not become a recurring theme.
Related article: Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League Dreams Shattered as Pyramids FC Advance
