adminOrlando Pirates face a daunting task in their next CAF Champions League Group A assignment as they travel to the competition’s holders Al Ahly on Sunday evening. Kick-off is at 4pm CAT.
The Buccaneers were hoping the match against the Cairo giants would be played on neutral ground due to security concerns in politically-unstable Egypt.
However, CAF quickly ruled such a possibility out and are set to confirm the venue before the weekend.
It is also a boost for Ahly that the match is being played at night, allowing their players to take in sustenance during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Their opening group match against Zamalek in mid-July was played in Gouna, some 450 kilometres from Cairo, and during daylight hours, a move that was slammed by both clubs.
That draw was a favourable result for Pirates, given that they failed to capitalise on home advantage in their match against AC Leopards at Orlando Stadium that ended in a barren stalemate.
The group is very much wide open for all four teams and Bucs have everything to play for, contrary to the opinion of those who wrote the South African team off after their 0-0 with Leopards.
And Roger De Sa’s men will not have to deal with the usually intimidating atmosphere that accompanies a match in Egypt, as the fixture will be played behind closed doors.
It’s a factor that certainly cuts down Ahly’s home advantage, though Bucs will do well to remember that the Egyptians are still the tournament’s reigning champions.
The 1-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs in the pre-season Carling Black Label Cup last weekend will have dialled up the pressure on De Sa, who will also not be able to select marquee signing Kermit Erasmus, as he is ineligible for the competition.
Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi says his side “are playing against one of the best teams in Africa” and they must head to Egypt “and make sure that we make the whole nation proud”.
Pirates are set to fly out to Egypt on Thursday morning and will hope that the political turmoil in the North African country does not affect their final preparations for this crucial encounter. – SuperSport
Online Reporter