CAF Champions League

Happy Jele of Orlando Pirates challenged by Raphael Muduviwa of Platinum during the 2019 CAF Champions League. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

“We’re a good team” – Happy Jele [video]

Orlando Pirates missed a chance to go second in their Caf Champions League group on Friday but their captain Happy Jele is delighted with the character they showed.

CAF Champions League

Happy Jele of Orlando Pirates challenged by Raphael Muduviwa of Platinum during the 2019 CAF Champions League. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele was please with the character his team showed to come back from two goals down against FC Platinum to earn a draw in their Caf Champions League group stage match on Friday night.

The skipper said that the Buccaneers made life difficult for themselves by leaking two goals in the first half but he felt that his team wanted the win more than their Zimbabwean opponents.

Speaking after the match at Orlando Stadium, Jele said:

“All I can say is it was a difficult game. In the first half we made things difficult by conceding two goals and we had to chase the game, so eish, it was very difficult to chase the game.”

Jele said that they expected some negative play from Platinum as Pirates pushed to get back into the contest.

Platinum had a player sent off in injury time and Pirates had a shot at winning the contest but Pirates Zimbabwean import Kudakwashe Mahachi fluffed a great chance. Thembinkosi Lorch and Augustine Mulenga struck in the last ten minutes of regulation time but that will do little to dispel the feeling that Pirates are a reactive team who need to be stung into action.

“We knew if we were going to chase the game that there would be some tactical fouls and they could waste time but what I love, I love the character of the team. The way we fought shows that we were hungry and wanted a win more,” Jele said.

The captain feels that the team’s second half performance will give them confidence going forward in the competition.

Pirates have their Caf Champions League fate in their own hands knowing they need to go to the Stade 28 Septembre next Saturday and get a win.

Jele added:

“We showed that we are a good team and if we want to win games it is possible to do it.

“We want to go to the next round, we had to [fight to] get a draw or a win. We didn’t get a win but the draw it’s ok, we’ll take it. The last game of the group stage we need to fight to get the three points.”

Orlando Pirates face Horoya in Guinea on Saturday 16 March with kick off scheduled for 15:00 SAST.

Watch: Happy Jele reacts after Orlando Pirates’ draw vs Platinum FC