ORLANDO Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza will arrive in Cairo this morning on a two- pronged mission.
First at 10am, Khoza will attend the Confederation of African Football inter-club subcommittee on matters relating to improving soccer on the continent.
At 2pm, Khoza will be at the 2013 African Champions League group stages draw where his club are hoping to get a second golden star on their logo.
Pirates qualified for the group in dramatic fashion by eliminating African giants TP Mazembe from the DR Congo by winning 3-2 on aggregate two weeks ago.
Bucs still remain the only southern African club to win the Champions League title after beating Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas 1-0 in 1995.
“We hope to do well in the Champions League with the hope South Africa will be allocated two slots by Caf again as was the case in the past,” said Khoza.
Caf withdrew the two slots allocated to the South African league winners and runners- up, arguing they (clubs) did not reach the group stages.
South African teams have always disappointed by being eliminated in the competition’s preliminary and first rounds.
Currently only league winners qualify to take part in the tournament with the Nedbank Cup champions competing in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Pirates were the last team to come close to getting a Champions League podium finish, losing 2-1 to CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, who are guided by ex-Bucs coach Ruud Krol.
“We are ready for any of the teams that have qualified. You have to play and beat the best to be crowned the winner,” said Khoza.
“I’m proud of my players for a great job done in this tournament. They have been playing during the week and weekends since 2010.
“I will be in Egypt with my head high after we qualified by beating the 2010 Fifa World Club Championship finalists TP Mazembe.”
North Africa, who have been monopolising the Caf club competitions, will be represented by three clubs in Al- Ahly, Zamalek (Egypt) and Esperance (Tunisia).
Coton Sport from Cameroon have also qualified along with AC Leopards (Congo), Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast and Angola’s Recreativo Libolo.
Khoza banking on that pot luck
First at 10am, Khoza will attend the Confederation of African Football inter-club subcommittee on matters relating to improving soccer on the continent.
At 2pm, Khoza will be at the 2013 African Champions League group stages draw where his club are hoping to get a second golden star on their logo.
Pirates qualified for the group in dramatic fashion by eliminating African giants TP Mazembe from the DR Congo by winning 3-2 on aggregate two weeks ago.
Bucs still remain the only southern African club to win the Champions League title after beating Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas 1-0 in 1995.
“We hope to do well in the Champions League with the hope South Africa will be allocated two slots by Caf again as was the case in the past,” said Khoza.
Caf withdrew the two slots allocated to the South African league winners and runners- up, arguing they (clubs) did not reach the group stages.
South African teams have always disappointed by being eliminated in the competition’s preliminary and first rounds.
Currently only league winners qualify to take part in the tournament with the Nedbank Cup champions competing in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Pirates were the last team to come close to getting a Champions League podium finish, losing 2-1 to CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, who are guided by ex-Bucs coach Ruud Krol.
“We are ready for any of the teams that have qualified. You have to play and beat the best to be crowned the winner,” said Khoza.
“I’m proud of my players for a great job done in this tournament. They have been playing during the week and weekends since 2010.
“I will be in Egypt with my head high after we qualified by beating the 2010 Fifa World Club Championship finalists TP Mazembe.”
North Africa, who have been monopolising the Caf club competitions, will be represented by three clubs in Al- Ahly, Zamalek (Egypt) and Esperance (Tunisia).
Coton Sport from Cameroon have also qualified along with AC Leopards (Congo), Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast and Angola’s Recreativo Libolo.
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