Former Orlando Pirates striker James Mothibi feels Bucs are quite capable of springing a few surprises to go all the way and win the CAF Confederation Cup, after reaching the quarter-finals.
On Sunday, Pirates defeated JS Saoura 2-0 in Algiers, having beaten the Algerian side by the same result in the home Group B encounter on 13 February at Orlando Stadium.
Despite Goodman Mosele picking up a red card in the 75th minute, Pirates had done enough to qualify for the quarter-finals, with a game to spare, thanks to goals by Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Kabelo Dlamini in the 48th and 51st minutes respectively.
In an interview carried by The Citizen, the 44-year-old Mothibi said he and every Pirates fan believed that they can go all the way in the CAF tournament.
🇿🇦Orlando Pirates have ended JS Saoura 36 home games unbeaten record across all competitions.
— Yaw Ampofo Jr (@Yaw_Ampofo_) March 20, 2022
The record lasted 420days. pic.twitter.com/ORUSn4ploQ
“I think every Pirates fan now believes the club can go all the way to win the tittle,” Mothibi told The Citizen.
“We have to applaud them, they have been very consistent in the Confederation Cup and it says something about the team. I’m sure every Pirates fan thinks the team can go all the way to lift the trophy, it can happen.
“Anything is possible in this competition and we really need to applaud the guys for their effort and commitment that they have displayed.”
“To tell you the truth, Pirates has the squad to compete and to be counted among the best clubs in the continent, we have the players, we have the technical team and they have the support from management. So, we shouldn’t really be surprised by their achievement.”
☠️ 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞!
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) March 20, 2022
Orlando Pirates have qualified for the #CAFCC knockout stages in successive seasons. pic.twitter.com/tA9w4c1wXG
Pirates were knocked out last year in the quarter-final stage by Raja Casablanca, but Mothibi feels they are now a much more experienced team and their consistency is much-improved.
“Last season it was hard, the team was really under pressure and seeing them playing in the quarterfinals was a big thin, because no one gave them a chance. Even this season,
“I don’t think people expected Pirates to be where they are when the tournament started because they have been really poor in the league (DStv Premiership). But … they have the experience,” Mothibi added.
