Orlando Pirates “adequately prepared” for Green Eagles challenge

Orlando Pirates are in pursuit of silverware, and have already been knocked out of one cup competition in the early stages of the season. They resume their search for a trophy at home against Green Eagles of Zambia, in the Caf Champions League first preliminary round in Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

This after suffering a major setback, by losing the away leg of the tie in Lusaka earlier in the month, when they were beaten 1-0 at Nkoloma Stadium.

With the match coming during a rebuilding period for the Buccaneers, who recently lost head coach Milutin Sredojevic, it’s a chance at redemption, after four straight games without a victory.

Victory might not be enough for Orlando Pirates

In this time, the Buccaneers were knocked out of the MTN8, a competition which offered them a chance to end their five-year trophy drought, owing to its length.

Assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena has been placed at the helm, and has reiterated the importance of victory on Saturday night, which may not even be enough if they don’t keep their opponents goalless.

We have to win this one, we have to overturn the 1-0 deficit we suffered away in Lusaka. It will be interesting to see what they go with, if it will still be the 4-4-2 formation. Will they still keep Kasebe upfront with Musonda? Will they still go aggressively with the full backs? Either way we will be adequately prepared for them. We will analyse the first leg and see where we went wrong and what needs to be done to rectify our mistakes”, said Mokwena.

“They are coming to Orlando, it’s not an easy place to be and the Ghost will be there in numbers to inspire our boys to pick up their performance and overturn the result. We are very bullish about that, we know what the Champions League means to the Club, to our supporters and the Chairman, and we all know what we need to do in the second leg.

“We carry the responsibility and accept that the performance was not good enough in Zambia. We know that we have to make amends at Orlando, and we will because that is our home. It’s important that when they come here they feel that they have come in for disappointment. It won’t be easy for them.”

Rhulani Mokwena

The match, which was originally scheduled for a 20:15 kick-off gets underway at 21:00. 

Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite Checkers for R40 a pop.