20.04.2025
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Riveiro urges supporters to rally behind Pirates in CAF semi-final

7 mins



  • Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro reacts after the match.

4 minutes

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has urged the Bucs faithful to come and support the team in the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg at FNB Stadium against Egyptian club Pyramids FC.

Riveiro says he is expecting different playing conditions at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, compared to their regular home ground, the Orlando Stadium.

The game had to be moved to the bigger FNB Stadium, due to an annual Easter church service in Soweto.

But the Bucs camp is confident of doing well in the first leg.

Orlando Pirates have reached the semi-final of this season’s CAF Champions League undefeated.

Pirates have had a dentless run in the competition so far, finishing top of their group.

They have proved to have a working formula to beat North African opposition.

Pirates beat continental giants CR Belouizdad of Algeria and Al Ahly of Egypt in the group stages.

Then they went on to defeat MC Alger of Algeria in the quarter-finals to reach the semi’s of the Champions League for the first time since 2013.

Now they have to face another North African opponent, Pyramids FC of Egypt, in the last four, and Riveiro says they aim to reach the final of the Champions League.

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says, “It is the most difficult team we haven’t played yet and are about to play this season, from my point of view – the fact they’re leading the domestic league and doing well in the cup competitions as well, with a brilliant Champions League this season, says a lot about them.”

“But after all, having analysed them and knowing a little bit more about the way they play football, and the complexity it requires to stop them tomorrow, I can tell you they’re not like in the semi-final – like us, Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns – by chance. We’re here because we were doing things very well all the way through the competition and they’re a difficult team to control,” adds Riveiro.

Pyramids are an emerging force in Egyptian football and will be making their debut at this stage of the competition.

The club was founded in 2008, but they have been punching above their weight.

They are currently top of the Egyptian Premier League, ahead of regular favourites Al Ahly and Zamalek.

But Pirates captain Innocent Maela says they are ready to deliver again, against quality North African opposition.

Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela says, “I think we always said that as a football club, this is the space we want to find ourselves in competing against the best on the continent. Obviously, to find ourselves in this position it means that we’ve been doing something really well.”

“Our focus now is on tomorrow’s game, we must make sure we go out there and deliver. It’s a wonderful opportunity for both teams, but especially for us playing at home. But yeah, the club deserves to be here,” explains Maela.

Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki says the club is determined to do well despite playing the first leg of the knockout stage at home for the first time in the competition.

The away second leg will be staged in Cairo next Friday.

“Not really, we play every game to win, whether we play home or away. So tomorrow is no different. We just have to make sure that we apply ourselves, take our chances, try and get goals, and keep it clean at the back. So that we get the results at home and we defend the second fixture when we go away,” adds Xoki.

Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula’s role will be key in the central midfield to ensure Pirates do not concede an away goal against Pyramids.

Makhaula says, “I think for us, we need to score because we need to take that advantage of playing at home. We need to score as many goals as we can. The earlier the better. We must not let them score, but I think we can manage that.”

The match at the FNB Stadium kicks off at 6 pm in the evening, and it will be shown live on SABC 2.

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