Orlando Pirates legend Helman Mkhalele does not expects the Bucs to win the South African PSL title this season.
Mkhalele believes the Buccaneers will need to do more to clinch the crown after adding new faces in their squad.
The club legend has concerns about the defensive set-up of the team,which includes Ghana international Edwin Gyimah.
He says it will require a lot more time for the team to gell to achieve the ultimate.
“The technical team has a huge task to make sure the players can gel,” Mkhalele tells Phakaaathi.
“The league will be starting this and from what I saw in the Maize Cup, this is not a team that is together yet, that is showing signs of how it is going to fare next season.
“Starting with the back four, you can tell that these are the players who will form the core of the defence next season, with Justice Chabalala and Edwin Gyimah and a new rightback in Thembela Sikhakhane, but you can tell they are not ready yet.
“You need to start the season with a back four that is settled. Going forward, we saw them struggling to create chances against Platinum Stars and for me that is a bit of a worry.
“Even though the season has not kicked off yet, we should be seeing some indication of what Pirates will look like going forward. Pirates have a lot of work to do, which is why I say they are in a rebuilding phase right now.
“My biggest concern is that the season hasn’t started yet, but I see Pirates nowhere near in terms of putting out a team that will go out there and do well.”