Former Orlando Pirates striker James Mothibi has issued a stern message
to rival fans, criticizing the online “celebration” of the Buccaneers’ heavy
CAF Champions League defeat and calling for national unity behind South
Africa’s continental representatives.
Pirates suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss to Congolese side Saint-Éloi
Lupopo in Lubumbashi on Sunday, leaving their tournament hopes hanging by a
thread. Despite creating chances, the Soweto giants were undone by defensive
errors and a hostile away environment.
While the result was a setback, Mothibi expressed greater concern about the
reaction from some South African fans. “I can see a lot of South Africans
are celebrating… it’s good to celebrate, but they must be very careful about
what they celebrate,” Mothibi told the Siya crew.
He emphasized that when South African clubs compete on the continent, they
carry the nation’s flag and deserve collective support. “When our teams go
outside South Africa, they need our support. Chiefs need support. Sundowns
need support. Pirates need support. If we stood together as South Africans,
we wouldn’t see this negativity on social media.”
Mothibi believes this internal rivalry is counter-productive, contrasting it
with the hospitality shown to visiting teams in South Africa. “As Africans
we must show each other respect… Why must we be divided at home?”
Despite the daunting task ahead, the former striker remains defiantly
optimistic about the second leg at Orlando Stadium. “We will come back. I
have belief, even if others don’t… If they can score three, Pirates can
also score three or more in Orlando.”
