ONE last mountain, just a little higher than the rest they have scaled, stands between Orlando Pirates and victory against Al Ahly in tomorrow’s second leg of the Caf Champions League final at the Arab Contractors Stadium.
Bucs overcame “mission impossibles” against TP Mazembe and Esperance de Tunis to reach the final. They were not quite written off, but certainly only given an at best outside chance, after drawing 0-0 at home in the semifinal against Esperance. And yet their 1-1 draw away was easier than expected.
The final against experienced, crafty, superbly organised seven-time champions (five since 2001) Ahly could just be that step too far a resilient Bucs are yet to encounter in the competition. But Pirates do at least have self-belief that they can emulate the class of 1995, who drew 2-2 at home to Asec Abidjan and won 1-0 away to prevail in the final.
Pirates’ 1-1 draw in the first leg leaves them needing a win, or draw by a 2-2 scoreline or higher, to lift the trophy. Another 1-1 draw will see the match go straight to penalties.
Striker Lennox Bacela, a key figure in the crucial goal-scoring department, believes Bucs might just have a psychological advantage against Ahly in the 1-0 scoreline to Pirates from three matches. The South Africans beat the Red Devils 3-0 – Ahly’s worst home defeat in the Champions League – in the first group stages match.
“They know they haven’t beaten us,” Bacela said. “It was humbling to hear a player like Mohamed Aboutrika say that he sees a good future for us.
“I think they fear us, if I have to be blunt. But we still have to do the work.”
Bacela, like coach Roger de Sa, is hoping the pressure from the 25 000 home fans can shake the Egyptians out of their natural tendency to play defensively, a trademark Ahly have developed further as pillars Aboutrika, Wael Gomaa and Ahmed Fathy have aged.
“Hopefully they won’t play the same game as in the first leg,” Bacela said.
“If we can get an early goal, then we could get three or four goals, because they will probably be coming at us. And one of their weaknesses is their pace at the back.”
De Sa has said Lehlohonolo Masalesa for Andile Jali in central midfield, and Lucky Lekgwathi at right-back for Happy Jele are the almost certain changes he will make for his suspended duo.
The 6pm start time in the brisk Cairo evening should make for a fast-paced culmination to this year’s fascinating edition of Africa’s premier club football competition.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
16/2/13
Orlando Pirates 5 Djabal Club 0
02/3/13
Djabal Club 0 Orlando Pirates 4
16/3/13
Zanaco 0 Orlando Pirates 1
6/4/13
Orlando Pirates 2 Zanaco 1
20/4/13
Orlando Pirates 3 TP Mazembe 1
5/5/13
TP Mazembe 1 Orlando Pirates 0
GROUP STAGES
20/7/13
Orlando Pirates 0 AC Leopards 0
04/8/13
Al Ahly 0 Orlando Pirates 3
17/8/13
Orlando Pirates 4 Zamalek 1
01/9/13
Zamalek 2 Orlando Pirates 1
14/9/2013
AC Leopards 1 Orlando Pirates 0
22/9/2013
Orlando Pirates 0 Al Ahly 0
SEMIFINALS
05/10/2013
Orlando Pirates 0 Esperance 0
19/10/2013
Esperance 1 Orlando Pirates 1
FINAL
First Leg: Orlando Pirates 1 Al Ahyly 1
Pirates on verge of conquering Africa
Bucs overcame “mission impossibles” against TP Mazembe and Esperance de Tunis to reach the final. They were not quite written off, but certainly only given an at best outside chance, after drawing 0-0 at home in the semifinal against Esperance. And yet their 1-1 draw away was easier than expected.
The final against experienced, crafty, superbly organised seven-time champions (five since 2001) Ahly could just be that step too far a resilient Bucs are yet to encounter in the competition. But Pirates do at least have self-belief that they can emulate the class of 1995, who drew 2-2 at home to Asec Abidjan and won 1-0 away to prevail in the final.
Pirates’ 1-1 draw in the first leg leaves them needing a win, or draw by a 2-2 scoreline or higher, to lift the trophy. Another 1-1 draw will see the match go straight to penalties.
Striker Lennox Bacela, a key figure in the crucial goal-scoring department, believes Bucs might just have a psychological advantage against Ahly in the 1-0 scoreline to Pirates from three matches. The South Africans beat the Red Devils 3-0 – Ahly’s worst home defeat in the Champions League – in the first group stages match.
“They know they haven’t beaten us,” Bacela said. “It was humbling to hear a player like Mohamed Aboutrika say that he sees a good future for us.
“I think they fear us, if I have to be blunt. But we still have to do the work.”
Bacela, like coach Roger de Sa, is hoping the pressure from the 25 000 home fans can shake the Egyptians out of their natural tendency to play defensively, a trademark Ahly have developed further as pillars Aboutrika, Wael Gomaa and Ahmed Fathy have aged.
“Hopefully they won’t play the same game as in the first leg,” Bacela said.
“If we can get an early goal, then we could get three or four goals, because they will probably be coming at us. And one of their weaknesses is their pace at the back.”
De Sa has said Lehlohonolo Masalesa for Andile Jali in central midfield, and Lucky Lekgwathi at right-back for Happy Jele are the almost certain changes he will make for his suspended duo.
The 6pm start time in the brisk Cairo evening should make for a fast-paced culmination to this year’s fascinating edition of Africa’s premier club football competition.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
16/2/13
Orlando Pirates 5 Djabal Club 0
02/3/13
Djabal Club 0 Orlando Pirates 4
16/3/13
Zanaco 0 Orlando Pirates 1
6/4/13
Orlando Pirates 2 Zanaco 1
20/4/13
Orlando Pirates 3 TP Mazembe 1
5/5/13
TP Mazembe 1 Orlando Pirates 0
GROUP STAGES
20/7/13
Orlando Pirates 0 AC Leopards 0
04/8/13
Al Ahly 0 Orlando Pirates 3
17/8/13
Orlando Pirates 4 Zamalek 1
01/9/13
Zamalek 2 Orlando Pirates 1
14/9/2013
AC Leopards 1 Orlando Pirates 0
22/9/2013
Orlando Pirates 0 Al Ahly 0
SEMIFINALS
05/10/2013
Orlando Pirates 0 Esperance 0
19/10/2013
Esperance 1 Orlando Pirates 1
FINAL
First Leg: Orlando Pirates 1 Al Ahyly 1
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