Africa will gauge Pirates' quality
Has Orlando Pirates finally assembled a squad to match the 1995 Africa conquering one?
Pirates, in preparation for next year's Caf Champions League have bought well this season with seemingly enough depth, quality and characters for their coming challenge.
Their domineering squad has lifted five of the possible six titles on offer in the last year, while chairman Irvin Khoza has placed the competition – and a second star on their logo – as a high priority.
"When we go to Africa that is where we really are going to get tested on where we are (in their ability as a team)," said goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs.
Josephs, in character, heart and reliability, is the Williams Okpara of this current team.
He feels his squad will be able to carry them through their African sojourns, the Nedbank Cup and the defence of their league title in May.
There is the first half of next season – where they will hopefully be in the group stages of the Champions League.
Pirates' draw has them playing Recreativo de Rebolo from Angola in the preliminary round, where they will be at home for the first leg in mid-February.
Should they progress past the encounter, they will meet Nigeria's Sunshine Stars in the first round in late March.
"Hopefully we will be able to find a balance," Josephs said.
"We do have a good squad to carry us through that. But balance will be key, and all of that will depend on the coach (Julio Leal)."
In how he carries the team with experience, guile and goals, Benni McCarthy will play the 1995 role of the nimble Marks Maponyane – the erstwhile captain, and the man at the forefront of the Buccaneers mid-nineties revival.
There are many similarities between the two players, and legendary finishers.
The maverick McCarthy was written off as "washed up" when he joined in August in the same manner as many thought Maponyane's golden years at Kaizer Chiefs in the eighties had long past him.
He was one of the first signings in the Khoza era at Pirates in 1992, two years later leading the side to their first league title in 19 years.
"It's not impossible. We've got to have players filling in that are not from the starting line up or the coach's preferred eleven," said McCarthy.
"It's going to be do or die for us because nobody wants to go out in first round.
"The first game is at home, and we have got to finish it off here, and then go there to settle things in the second leg (in Angola).
"We will need to be mentally strong for the conditions, where we'll stay and the pitch."
They had some advice from SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt too, earlier in the week.
United in the Champions League, for the past three years did not enjoy much success.
"Have you seen Pirates' draw? If you get through the first two rounds then they've done well," he said.
"They have the Angolan champions and then the trip to Nigeria. Jeez, good luck... Good luck.
"Believe me, home games will be important but they have a good squad so they have geared up well.
"They invested a hell of a lot in players that should give them some return."
McCarthy, though, had the final word where he saw his side finally gelling and gaining momentum on the field at the right time.
"I know that with the type of football we are playing, we can hopefully from now on be a moving train," he said.