Having visited North Africa three times and returned home victorious each time in the Caf Champions League this season, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has good reason to feel confident about their chances ahead of the crucial clash with Pyramids FC in Egypt.
The Sea Robbers travel to Cairo for the decisive second leg of the semi-final match at the June 30 Stadium on Friday at 20:00.
The two sides played to a goalless draw in Johannesburg on Saturday, with Pirates enjoying a slight advantage before the showdown in Cairo.
A draw with goals will see the South Africans proceed to the final of the Champions League, where they will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Al Ahly.
The North African region has been a fruitful hunting ground for the Soweto giants this season.
They travelled to Algeria twice and secured crucial victories against CR Belouizdad and MC Alger.
Riveiro’s men defeated Belouizdad 2-1 in the group stages before they claimed a 1-0 win over MC Alger in the quarterfinals, with both matches played in Algiers.
They also went to Egypt and surprised the 12-time African champions, Ahly, in the group stages of the competition.
Speaking to the media after the goalless first leg, Riveiro praised his troops and vowed to do everything to emerge as the winners in Cairo.
“I think we are still unbeaten on the continent, and that says enough about the way our team is competing this season, not only in the Champions League, but we focus particularly on the Champions League,” Riveiro said.
“There’s nothing to say to these guys. They are doing an incredible job. They are competing at the same level as the best in the content; whoever you decide is the best on the continent, we are at that level right now when it is time to compete.
“And we will try again, we will go to Egypt, and we will be there on Friday, ready to go again and to get the result we need, which is a multiple because of the rules of the competition and the possible double value of the goals.”
While the Pyramids will be under pressure not to concede at home, the Sea Robbers will be equally pressured to find the back of the net in Cairo to stand a good chance of making the final for the first time since 2013.
“It’s a tricky result, 0-0, for both of us. It’s not an easy one for us, and it’s not an easy one for Pyramids,” Riveiro said.
“Like I said, we can anticipate a really interesting second leg and trust me, we will put in and do everything to make it possible (to go through), and if it’s not possible, we will go to the next one.”
