adminJOHANNESBURG. — South African football is on the threshold of continental success as Orlando Pirates take a 1-1 draw to the second leg final of the Caf Champions League against Al Ahly in Cairo tomorrow. The crucial encounter is scheduled to kick off at 6pm. Victory will earn the Buccaneers their second African title after an 18-year wait and Safa president Danny Jordaan, in wishing the men in black and white well, said Pirates were representing not only their supporters but the South African flag.
“To all South African soccer supporters, let us give our boys total support as you have always done throughout this tournament.
“This is a proud moment for South African football,” said Jordaan.
“As we have mentioned throughout this tournament, Pirates’ success bodes well for our football. They are now only 90 minutes away from glory and we take this opportunity as Safa to wish the Pirates players, coach Roger de Sa and his technical team well in this tournament.”
Jordaan also commended Pirates chairman and Safa vice-president Dr Irvin Khoza for his leadership in steering Pirates to the Caf Champions League final.
“I was really impressed by the crowd at Orlando Stadium in the first leg. The atmosphere was unbelievable and certainly spurred the players on.
“Many of those fans may not be able to go to Cairo but we urge them to keep cheering Pirates in front of their television sets,” he said.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this season and the stakes will no doubt be high. Pirates go into the second leg of the final with a psychological edge following their 3-0 win over the seven-time winners.
The last-minute equaliser by Thabo Matlaba will have also pumped up the Pirates confidence.
Victory for Pirates will see them become the first South African club to feature in the Fifa Club World Cup taking place in Morocco later this year. Not only that, they will also collect a US$1.5 million winner’s cheque.
Meanwhile, Bafana coach Gordon Igesund also conveyed his message of support to De Sa and his players.
“This is a defining moment for Pirates and I have no doubt in my mind that they will do it. It won’t be easy but Pirates have demonstrated their ability to lift this trophy,” said Igesund.
Pirates have the depth to cope with suspended Andile Jali and Happy Jele’s absence going into the Champions League’s final against Egyptian hosts Al Ahly.
Former Pirates midfielder Ernest ‘Chirwali’ Mtawali said this in an interview with SuperSport.com on Wednesday ahead of the second leg following the 1-1 draw in South Africa.
“Al Ahly have won this many times, while Pirates have won it once, hence they are hungrier. With the score at 1-1, anything can happen. As for the absence of the two key players, Pirates have a big quality squad to cope with this. That is one of their strengths,” noted the former South Africa Player of Year.
Mtawali, who also played for Bloemfontein Celtic, Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and Ajax Cape Town, had a decent career with Pirates around 2001 scoring a wonder goal that ended the Buccaneers’ Premier League drought.
“With the game at 1-1, Pirates just have to go out there and play their normal attacking game. The best way to defend is to attack,” concluded the player who also played for Toulose in France and Newell Old Boys in Argentina among others countries. – SuperSport.com.
Online Reporter