By securing second place in the Premier Soccer League last season, Orlando Pirates earned the right to compete amongst the big guns in this season’s CAF Champions League group stage fixtures, starting with CR Belouizdad on 26 November.
ORLANDO PIRATES PLAN FOR CLASH AGAINST CR BELOUIZDAD
After their triumph against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final last season, Orlando Pirates have maintained their impressive fighting spirit throughout this season. With just one loss in all competitions this season, The Buccaneers aspire to assert themselves as a deadly opposition.
“It’s a change of mentality within themselves” said Coach Reviero.
Their impressive start to the season is a consequence of the manner in which the team is playing. They’re running the extra mile this season with an impressive undefeated run in the PSL which sees them leading the pack in first place.
Orlando Pirates possess the ability to obtain victory whether it be home or away. However, Coach Jose Reviero told sports broadcaster Robert Marawa that the South African league is complex.
This is an indication that they’re familiar with the style of play in the country. So, it will not be a walk in the park to manipulate their way into a win against a team that obtains a foreign style of play.
PIRATES DEAL WITH BREAK IN FIXTURES
The international break also means that Orlando Pirates are obligated to knuckle down in training without some of their key players due to international duties. The pause in fixtures may also drown their impressive momentum that they’ve imprisoned thus far.
We’ve already witnessed their 1-0 loss to Magesi FC after undergoing a break in fixtures. Prior to that, the buccaneers were eleven games unbeaten. Attaining maximum points serves as key in the group stage fixtures of the CAF Champions League if the Soweto soldiers want to qualify into the knockout phase.
PIRATES NEED TO SECURE MAXIMUM POINTS TO ADVANCE
The South African side will look to pounce on their first opponents in the campaign who are currently drooping away at the bottom of their domestic league with just seven points from seven games.
With their following game being against the Egyptian Champions, Al Ahly FC, Pirates cannot fall short against the remaining two teams in their group.
Adding a second African title to their trophy cabinet will serve as justice.
The South African team has managed to reach the final more than any other team in the country, asserting themselves as giants across the continent. The start to the season has been marvellous for the buccaneers and the confidence within the team has been on display.
However, Coach Reviero says there is still a lot more to do and the team is focused on that. Speaking in an interview with Marawa, Reviero said that it is a dream to achieve what he’s achieved. Adding to his five domestic cups is likely to be at the forefront of Riviero’s mind and that entails a win over the Algerian side on 26 November.
Here’s why we think Mamelodi Sundowns will win the PSL.