Orlando Pirates: Sredojevic notes lessons learnt in Caf exit

Orlando Pirates will have to wait a bit longer to put a second star on their crest after crashing out of the Caf Champions League in the group stage, but coach Milutin Sredojevic believes the lessons learned in the campaign will serve them well in the future.

The 1995 champions had to settle for a late consolation goal after conceding twice in the second half en route to a 2-1 defeat to Horoya at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry, Equatorial Guinea.

This meant that they finished third in Group B, just outside of the qualification spots for the knockout rounds.

Speaking to the press after the defeat, Sredojevic noted a good first-half performance from his charges, which was undone in the second 45.

“We found ourselves in situations where we could have put the opponent on the backfoot,” he said.

Milutin Sredojevic

The group-stage finish was a far cry from their previous champions league campaign, which saw them finish runners-up in 2013. Sredojevic said the experience gained in their recently-concluded run would serve the club well for years to come.

“We were not good in the second half. Congratulations to Horoya. We have learned a lesson. This was our tenth match after a six-year absence from the Champions League.

“We have learned so much in the qualifying campaign and group stage. This experience will help Orlando Pirates in the years to come.

“We will go in the right direction. We want to put the second star. We have learned our lessons.”

Milutin Sredojevic

The Buccaneers will now shift their attention to the PSL title race, the only trophy they are still in the running for, having also crashed out of the Nedbank Cup.

Their next match is a home fixture against the side that knocked them out on that occasion Black Leopards, who they meet on Friday, 29 March.