ORLANDO PIRATES TO PLAY AL AHLY, ZAMALEK AND AC LEOPARDS IN CL DRAW

ORLANDO PIRATES TO PLAY AL AHLY, ZAMALEK AND AC LEOPARDS IN CL DRAW

By Mike Mubanga

I have got to give respect to South African soccer giants Orlando Pirates. 

Not because they beat Congolese Champions TP Mazembe, one of the most respectable sides in Africa, but because of the way they handled themselves en-route to earning themselves a place in the Group stages of the African Champions League.

The Champions League games came at a time when Pirates were struggling for form in the Premier Soccer league, but the y still managed to beat Zambian Champions Zanaco football Club by a 3-1 aggregate score-line.

Having covered the encounter with the Zambian Champions, I observed that Pirates were rich in midfield and compact with the likes of captain Lucky Lekgwathi.

With the Buccaneers, their advantage was in the first leg, with their hit-man Collins Mbesuma bagging a brace in a 3-1 win. Not even the impressive Raibnford Kalaba could impress for Mazambians, as they are locally known in Lusaka.

The second leg was definitely going to be tough, but with the 3-1 score, the game was going Pirate’s way, despite Mazembe winning 1-0 in a high tempered match that saw Lekgwathi being sent off and Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa the hero of the day, saving two penalties.

The draws for the CAF Champions League are out, and Pirates are in Group A alongside AC Leopards (DR Congo), Zamalek (Egypt) and Al Ahly (Egypt).

Group B comprises of Recreativo Libolo (Angola), Esperance (Tunisia), Sewe Sport (Ivory Coast) and Coton Sport (Cameroon).

By reaching the group stages, all eight clubs are guaranteed $400 000, but in my opinion, 90 per cent of the clubs would rather fight for a bigger piece of cake that the hundreds of dollars.

For me, the Buccaneers should rate themselves as future semi-finalists, a feat which will see them nearing the 1995 season, when they went on to become Africa champions.

It will not be easy though, they are grouped against current Al Ahly, who have mature and top class footballers, and another Egyptian side Zamalek. 

There is a very high possibility that the two matches could be played behind closed doors due to the violence that still troubles Egyptian football.

AC Leopards should be a silent giant, but Pirates should be able to sneak through after the two legged encounter.

Pirates have lacked inconsistency in the league, a thing which has led to die hard Bucs’ fans rising against their coach Roger De Sa. 

This is the lack of initiative, inconsistency and lacking ambition that should not be repeated, if they are to do well in the Champions league; it’s a different league, it’s not PSL.

Believe me, there is more that Collins Mbesuma can offer. Takesure Chinyama, who has been a shadow of himself for most of this season can also produce a three star performance.

De Sa needs to get his tactics right, playing two Egyptian clubs is no joke, especially when you get to drop points at home soil.

He might have lost the league, but he has an opportunity to prove that his fans were wrong in calling for his sacking.