Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi says the team has one clear mission in mind for the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round clash against FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo — to win the match and finish the job in the return leg on home soil.

Pirates, who reached the semi-finals last season, are in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first leg against the Congolese side at Stade Kibassa Maliba on Sunday afternoon [15:00].

The return leg is scheduled for next Saturday at Orlando Stadium [15:00], where Ncikazi hopes to secure qualification to the group stages.

“We are prepared. We just want to control what happens within the four lines,” said Ncikazi.

“All other conditions outside the field should not affect us; we are used to this. Our focus is simply to advance to the next round. The first leg — we’ll try to score, try to win, and then go home to finish the job.”

Pirates advanced from the previous round after hammering Lesotho’s Lioli FC 7–0 over two legs. Both matches were played in South Africa, as Lesotho does not have a stadium that meets FIFA and CAF standards. Consequently, Lioli opted to host their “home” leg in Bloemfontein.

“When I look at our preparation, the players seem well adapted,” Ncikazi added.

“It’s important for us to stay in control in such matches — to keep the ball as much as possible. There will be moments when we don’t have possession, but what matters is how we respond without the ball and how we use it when we have it.”