Pirates look for domestic rebound after continental defeat

THE Sea Robbers’ sails have been blown wide, but they remain the masters of their own destiny when it comes to their domestic and continental campaigns.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

Orlando Pirates were hammered 3-0 by Saint Eloi Lupopo in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second-round preliminary qualifier in Lubumbashi over the weekend — putting them under immense pressure ahead of the second leg at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Pirates need to win the match to qualify for the group stage. And alas, should they fail to qualify, they will have squandered the opportunity to build on last season’s semifinal run under coach Jose Riveiro.

And perhaps therein lies the problem. When Abdeslam Ouaddou was appointed as the new Pirates coach, he took the job knowing full well that he had big shoes to fill.

That includes excelling in continental football — especially considering that Pirates were the first South African team to win the CAF Champions League back in 1995.