Jwaneng Galaxy coach Morena Ramoreboli says he is proud of his team for making Orlando Pirates dig deep for the result in the first leg of their second preliminary in the first leg of the CAF Champions League clash but retains a hope that they can do something in the second leg. 

The Soweto giants secured a 2-0 victory at the National stadium in Gaborone on Saturday, thanks to goals from Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deon Hotto in either half, taking home two crucial away goals ahead of the second leg. 

But despite falling short of defeat, Ramoreboli says he is not disheartened by the result as he is proud of his players’ display and draws inspiration from forcing a team of Pirates’ magnitude into making defensive tactical changes. 

“No (I’m not disappointed at the result), we are playing Orlando Pirates, ” Ramoreboli said. 

“I think if I’m not wrong it’s the first team to win the Champions League in the Southern region, this is the oldest team on the continent, the biggest team in the continent.

“If you play a team like Orlando Pirates and their substitutions had to be defenders, then you must know there is something you are doing [right] because they had to defend us for the better part of the second half. 

“So, for me I will say as much as I’m disappointed that we didn’t win, I’m very proud of the players because I always say we are playing 11 versus 11 and we made two mistakes which cost us the result.”

However, the Galaxy mentor is confident that his charges can stage a comeback in the return leg to cause another upset for the Buccaneers, as he believes that a 2-0 lead is not safe in a game of football. 

“Let’s be honest, last season we were in the same position, celebrating the 1-0 victory against Orlando Pirates. Today we are sitting needing to find strength from losing 2-0 against Pirates at home, ” Ramoreboli acknowledged. 

“We need to find reasons which will take us into the second leg and say how are we going to perform in the second leg. We have 90 minutes to play, the coach [Riveiro] said it’s the first half, and I believe it was the first half, the second half can go either way. 

“For those who understand the game, leading 2-0 is not a safe lead, and I always want to say we have the ability and capability to come back, we will come back.” 

Pirates will host the Botswana Premier League champions for the second leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 21 September (18:00).