Opinion: Ofori has every reason to believe Bucs can compete in Africa.

Having a born again Orlando Pirates team that won a cup double last season in the domestic league competing in the CAF Champions League in the coming campaign, is a boost for South African football, more especially for Bafana Bafana. 

Players like Innocent Maela, Monnapule Saleng, Miguel Timm, Zakhele Lepasa and Nkosinathi Sibisi, who are national team players will welcome the prospect of competing  against the best that Africa has to offer in club football. 

They should be able to transfer their CAFCL experience to the national team. 

But for the above players to really get the feel of what it is like to play in Africa, Pirates will have to at least make the group stages. 

The big question is whether they have what it takes to get that far. 

In my opinion, Pirates have enough ammunition in their arsenal to reach the group stages and even go further. 

Besides the Bafana Internationals in their ranks, they also have capable players like Thabang Monare, Makhehlene Makhaula, Thapelo Xoki, and the experienced Kermit Erasmus to name only a few. 

Individuals aside, as a team, Amabhakaniya showed enough tactical/technical maturity to be able to do well in Africa. 

Their defense is solid, and offensively they are a team capable of unlocking defenses and create goal scoring opportunities. 

It is maybe in psychological aspects of the game where Bucs might be found wanting, which is unfortunately the most important aspect for a team hoping to do well in Africa. 

If they can be well prepared mentally to withstand the pressures of travelling, fixture congestion, and opposition antics on and off the pitch aimed at unsettling them, there is no reason Bucs cannot go far. 

Like Ofori, I also believe Bucs can compete in Africa. 

Ofori not threatened by Chaine.

 

While Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Richard Ofori is recovering from an injury, Sipho Chaine, who signed for Bucs from Chippa United during the January transfer window, has been slowly going about the business of making the number jersey his own.

Chaine's performances have left many a football fan pondering on whether Ofori will be able to reclaim his spot in the starting line-up when he is fit to play.

The former Chippa United shot stopper has been impressive for Pirates, not only with his goalkeeping skills, but his ability to be an extra man during the team's build up from the back, something that Ofori is not comfortable doing.

The Ghanaian International, Ofori, has revealed that he is not threatened by Chaine's good performances, saying he is fully behind the 26-year-old.

"We motivate him [Chaine] because this spot [the No.1] isn't about the individuals. People were there before we came, so when we are not there someone else must continue.

"It's not about one person...you can't be greedy and be thinking about yourself only,'' said Ofori as quoted by Sowetan Live. https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-03-23-ofori-welcomes-chaine-competition/

Ofori emphasized the importance of the club's success over individual glory, saying he is always encouraging Chaine to keep focused.

"The most important thing is the success of the club, so we also talk to Sipho, motivating him to say, 'keep on growing and keep focused'. He's been doing well and that's the most important thing for the club."

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Chaine has appeared 13 times for Pirates, he has conceded 12 goals and kept four clean sheets.

Before his injury, that kept him out of Ghana's world cup squad, Ofori had played 13 times, keeping seven clean sheets, with just six goals conceded.