Mngqithi predicts Bucs' deficiency

MANQOBA Mngaithi delivered an assessment of Orlando Pirates that could be misinterpreted as sour grapes by Buccaneers supporters and casual soccer fans.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO-

Shortly after suffering the ignominy of being the first coach to lose the Carling Black Label Cup in charge of the All Stars, Mngqithi implied that Pirates are unlikely to win the Betway Premiership title.

Speaking at the post-match media conference after the exhibition match at Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Golden Arrows coach said he does not expect Pirates to have as good a second half of the league campaign as they did in the first.

"I can guarantee you, from what they have done in the first half of the season, a lot of teams are going to sit back in the second half, and when they sit back it will ask a lot of questions of the team," Mngqithi said, following the All Stars’ 2-0 defeat to the Bucs.

It was the first time in three years that the Carling Knockout champions had won the match, with Pirates’ goals coming in the second half courtesy of substitutes Sifiso Luthuli and Boitumelo Radiopane.