Two giants of African football, Orlando Pirates and Egypt’s, Zamalek, clash in a top of a Confederations Cup group match on 13 September.
Both teams have already qualified for the semifinals, but at stake in this last match of Group B at Stade Petro Sport in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, is which team will finish top of the group.
The Buccaneers, as Pirates are affectionately known to their avid fans, and Zamalek occupy first and second place on the same number of points after five games, with the Egyptians in first place by virtue of a better head-to-head against the Bucs.
Buccaneers coach, Eric Tinkler, comes into this match confident that his charges have learnt from their previous mistakes when Pirates lost 2-1 to Zamalek in their home leg. This was a match in which the Buccaneers dominated, and Lehlohonolo Majoro came straight off the bench to score with his first touch of the ball. However, the Buccaneers were unlucky as they failed to convert the numerous goal-scoring opportunities they created.
“Facing Zamalek is always going to be a difficult challenge, but this is who we are, we thrive under difficult conditions,” said Tinkler.
“We have corrected our mistakes from when we played them in the first leg. It was a difficult but necessary lesson from which we have since learnt the importance of playing for the result.
“It is vitally important that we get a win against Zamalek and finish top of the group because we want to secure a home second leg semifinal. It is a tough ask but it’s definitely doable, we have gone there [Cairo] in the past and collected a positive result. I don’t see why we cannot do it this time around. If they did it here with us, why can’t we there?”
The crucial clash will be broadcast live on SABC1 and SuperSport.
Details: Thandi Merafe 011 483 1730; thandi@orlandopiratesfc.co.za
