Legend Teko Modise launches scathing attack on Orlando Pirates

Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates midfielder Teko Modise has lashed out at Pirates players, saying they don’t seem to value the club’s badge.

Modise alleges that the current crop doesn’t understand wearing the 1995 CAF Champions League title holders’ jersey and its value.

Having lifted this season’s MTN8 trophy and on the verge of finishing as number two in the DStv Premiership, the Buccaneers are also fighting to dethrone Masandawana as Nedbank Cup champions.

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LEGEND TEKO MODISE BLASTS ORLANDO PIRATES PLAYERS

The former Bafana Bafana star took a swipe at Jose Riveiro’s troops as he reflected on their struggles to remain consistent.

Having brought in more than ten players this term, ‘The General’ is of the view that the problem at Mayfair lies in the players and their mentality.

The retired midfielder, who is a television football pundit, explained that some of the players think they have time to adapt, but it’s the other way around at Mayfair.

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Moreover, the Soweto-born legend pointed fingers at the mentality of players who come to the Soweto Giants thinking they are playing for a small club.

“There aren’t too many players within the Pirates structure that know what it means to play for that club,” Modise told iDiski Times.

“So, therefore, you don’t have a reference to be able to show yes, when Happy (Jele) was there, he understands what it means to play for Orlando Pirates.

“So sometimes players, they think that they’d have time to adjust, to adapt to it. But you don’t have time because when you’re playing for such big teams, you playing high tempo games, you playing a big game every game because everybody’s out there to try and knock you out.

“And when you play for smaller teams, you only have six games, those big six games in a season. So that’s the difference when you have to come to such big teams.”

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PLAYERS FAIL TO THRIVE UNDER PRESSURE

He continues to argue that Riveiro’s men must understand that playing for the former league champions needs strong mental and physical qualities.

“You must understand that you need to have that type of performance week in, week out, so that’s the pressure that most players can’t handle,” he added.

“When you join Orlando Pirates, you need to be ready – mentally and physically. Because what comes with that team is totally different.”

Just at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, the Pirates were touted as hot favourites to end Masandawana’s dominance.

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However, coach Rulani Mokwena’s men have bagged their sixth title in a row, and it seems Pirates will struggle to challenge them next season as they failed to win the coveted title since in the 2011/12 season.

Meanwhile, in their quest to finish as runners-up to Sundowns, the third-placed Bucs will set their sights on beating TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.