Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Benson Mhlongo believes Orlando Pirates players are motivated to do well to secure a World Cup spot.
The Buccaneers are currently top of the Betway Premiership after 15 matches played this season. With 11 wins in the league, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s charges have gone undefeated in the PSL for six months, having won two trophies along the way.
Nine Pirates players were selected in the Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which concluded last month.
Given the club’s form and style of play, it looks more likely that more Bucs players will again dominate the national team at the World Cup.
“Pirates are just on fire. These boys are playing for World Cup spots. There’s some growth in these boys since they returned from the AFCON. They learned a lot there,” Mhlongo told KickOff.
The former Pirates coach praised Ouaddou for getting the best out of Relebohile Mofokeng. “President yama 2000” struggled for form earlier this season but has been sensational in his past few games.
“In modern football, you must be able to play more than one position. As an attacker, you must be able to play both in the middle and on the sides; you must be able to play as a second striker. It gives you more chances to be signed by teams,” Mhlongo added.
Mhlongo says Pirates players are eyeing World Cup spot
“It’s good they are moving Mofokeng around. Playing on the sides, his creation of chances will be limited. Yes, he can score from there, but he is not an out-and-out winger who can cross the ball on time.
“Now that he is growing, I hope he plays more in the centre,” the Bucs legend said.
Pirates are out of the CAF Champions League, but if they win the Betway Premiership, Hugo Broos will be forced to select at least 10 of their stars for the World Cup.