Riveiro Braces For Al Ahly Clash In Champions League
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro said his side will be taken to dark places in this coming weekend’s Caf Champions League group stage match.
That is because Egyptian giants Al Ahly is coming to Orlando Stadium on Saturday (15:00), having won the Champions League 12th time, the most successful club on the African continent, including last season.
As an experienced side like Ahly coming to Orlando Stadium, it is not the best of experience for Pirates, who lost over the weekend in the league match to Stellenbosch, relinquishing their unbeaten start to Betway Premiership as well as the top spot in the table.
The top spot has been taken by Mamelodi Sundowns due to goal scored, with the African Giants having defeated Sekhukhune United 3-0 on Saturday.
However, Pirates started the Champions League with a win away, beating Khanyisa Mayo’s CR Belouidzad of Algeria by 2-1 midweek last week.
“In this period, it’s a luxury to have four days — five with recovery — to prepare for the game as well as possible,” Riveiro said.
“Now we look to the future. The next game is going to be something else. We are going to be tested at a very high level. And we will face the week with a good attitude, motivation, and the ambition to offer a good performance on Saturday here against Al Ahly.”
Riveiro also emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation ahead of the crucial clash. “Having those days and the possibility to rest, I think gives us something extra to ensure there are no excuses, and on Saturday we can be at the level that the competition requires and the opponent will ask.”
While Pirates have slipped to second place in the Betway Premiership, Riveiro remains focused on the long-term goal. “We have the same number of points — exactly the same,” he said.
“We lost on Sunday, they lost against Polokwane City a few weeks ago.
“So, we have to run our race — that’s it. We played against Stellenbosch on Saturday; we didn’t play against Mamelodi Sundowns.
“We are competing against Sundowns, Stellenbosch, Kaizer Chiefs, Golden Arrows — against everybody. It’s three points in every game.
“And it’s only eight (games that have been played). I know we are in December and should have maybe 15 games already in the league. That’s why you are a bit anxious with this question — but it’s only eight. Some of the teams (have played) not even eight. So, it’s still early.
“There are going to be teams that you are not looking at right now who will finish in the top three or four — 100%, they are coming.”
