Orlando Pirates are set to play Pyramids this weekend in the first leg of the Caf Champions League semi-final to be played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
It is a massive game for either side as they push for a place in the final where they will play either Mamelodi Sundowns or the defending champions Al Ahly.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record
The Buccaneers are continuing to impress across all competitions, both domestically and internationally. Recently, they beat Marumo Gallants by a solitary goal to reach the Nedbank Cup final, where they are scheduled to play Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby.
The Sea Robbers are yet to taste defeat in the ongoing Caf Champions League edition; since the preliminaries to the latter stages.
The Egyptian outfit are winless in their last three games across all competitions; they lost 2-0 in the second leg of the Caf Champions League quarter-final against FAR Rabat before drawing 1-1 with Al Ahly in the league. Their last game was in the League Cup, where they fell 2-0 against Haras El Hodood.
In the head-to-head record, this is the first time the two teams are meeting in any competition.
What They Said
“Not conceding is important, especially when your team is full of quality and players with the capacity to score goals. I won’t say not conceding guarantees you winning, but you are close to winning,” Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro said ahead of the game.
“We managed to go through probably the key week of the season. Every game we are going to play is going to be a cup final. The points in the league are expensive, so we know it’s going to be difficult, and the games probably are not going to be as open as they were early in the season,” he concluded.
His opposite number Krunoslav Jurcic is not ready to change his playing style at the FNB Stadium.
“We came here to enjoy our football. I've been preparing my players like this, and we have been enjoying all the moments of the Champions League. We can assure you at this moment that we came here to play open football.
“We won't change anything special for the match. Away or home, we'll continue to play how we've been playing all along this season,” the former Croatian international concluded.
Team News
Sipho Chaine and Nkosinathi Sibisi suffered a suspended one-match ban from Caf competitions after the troubles witnessed at the Orlando Stadium against MC Alger in the second leg of the semi-final.
However, they are available for the Saturday game and the remaining fixtures of the competition this season; of course if they make the final.
Pyramids will have to do without their star winger Ibrahim Adel who is nursing an injury; he has scored 12 goals and provided as many assists in the 27 games played across all competitions.
Fiston Mayele's initial Visa issues were sorted out, meaning he is available for the crucial tie this weekend.
Pirates Probable XI: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Van Rooyen, Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nkota, Makgopa, Mofokeng
Pyramids Probable XI: El Shenawy, Ali Gabr, Chibi, Hafez, Hamdy, Marei, Tawfik, El Karti, Lasheen, Fathi, Mayele
Where to Watch
The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport Channel 209 and SABC3 from 18.00 hours SAT.
