Motale was the one who captained Pirates when they won the 1995 African Champions Cup by beating ASEC Mimosas in Ivory Coast.
Amakhosi booked their place in the group stage for the first time in the club's history on Tuesday following a 1-0 win over Angolan side Primeiro de Agosto.
"Well done to them, I wish they progress to the final because the past years bebaphuma [knocked-out] early," Motale tells snl24.com/kickoff.
"So it shows that this season they know their story. Probably they've got a plan for this trophy. Ya in the group stages that's the beginning of the tournament to be honest. It's where we separate boys from men.
"That's where they will feel the heat now. There's also that shabby treatment, especially in away games. They shouldn't be surprised, they must know that in Africa they rob you. They don't care. They will make you feel you don't belong there from day one.
"If you are not mentally strong in the group stage, you won't survive. Remember, most of the countries are French-speaking, so they communicate with each other."
"I remember when I was a captain we agreed that we were not going to speak any French or Sesotho during the match, only English. But the very same ref and officials were still talking to these guys in French. More especially after you scored a goal, that's when you will see that everything has changed.
"When the match starts you have five ball-boys, but once you score the ball-boys become 20. If they score against you the ball-boys are no longer five, they become three. And they stand in one place.
"To win this tournament you need to be mentally strong. It's tough in Africa my brother, referees make decisions and you can't say anything.
"The easiest way is to win home games. That's the easiest way to win this trophy. You win your home games and if you get there and get a draw, the better. If you win at home it becomes so easy."
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