Cape Town - Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi has revealed his frustration at the Buccaneers' MTN8 quarter-final exit at the hands of SuperSport United.
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Lekgwathi was the captain during the last period of local dominance in Pirates' history. However, since the Sea Robbers wrapped up the 'double treble' in 2012, they have not managed to reach the summit of South African soccer again.
Last season was a promising one for Pirates, as they climbed to second on the Premiership table after finishing 11th the season before. Lekgwathi was confident that they would win the MTN8 this year, but was ultimately disappointed as Pirates lost on penalties to SuperSport United in the quarter-finals after a 2-2 draw.
"You know, it's sad for my team [Pirates]. Last year we missed the competition because we finished in position 11 [in the 2016/17 season]," Lekgwathi told KickOff.
"This year, we were back and I was looking forward to seeing them win the MTN8, thinking: 'Pirates will be back with a bang!'
"In fact, after last season's performance, everyone was saying Pirates this season are going to surprise everyone with silverware. But, the first game - out. Eish, and it was against our hoodoo team, SuperSport."
Lekgwathi urged Pirates to overcome the "hoodoo" against Matsatsantsa, who they haven't beaten in three seasons.
"They must just come with a plan to beat SuperSport because I, myself, am getting tired of losing to them in league and cup games," he said.
"In cup games, our record is worse - we lost two Nedbank Cup finals against them, and now we get knocked out in the MTN8 as well. It's so sad, especially after the improvement of last season.
"I was looking forward to seeing them in the final. But that's football, as the former Baroka coach Kgoloko Thobejane said, 'Football can kill you.' I see now why football can kill you."