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Riveiro Praises Pirates For Stunning Win Over Al Ahly

  • January 19, 2025
  • 2 min read
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Riveiro Praises Pirates For Stunning Win Over Al Ahly

Orlando Pirates demonstrated their capacity to compete at the highest level by defeating Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League group stage match on Saturday, according to coach Jose Riveiro.

Pirates triumphed 2-1 over the 12-time Champions League champions at Cairo International Stadium, securing top spot in Group C with 14 points from six matches.

The Soweto Giants’ goals were scored by Relebohile Mofokeng and Tshegofatso Mabasa, sandwiching Hussein El Shahat’s equalizer for Ahly.

This is the first time Pirates have topped the group stage in the CAF Champions League. They will now await the quarter-final draw, with the advantage of being seeded and hosting the second leg.

“This is a message from ourselves, for the young team to know, to understand that we can compete in scenarios like this one,” Riveiro said, as per BeIN Sport.

“I’m not talking about the results, I’m talking about the capacity to compete, to stay in the game even in the difficult times and that is the most important on Saturday. 

“The results of course see us on top of the group, we are so happy. But again, for me the most important is the character and the personality that the players showed in a stadium like this one and against a team like Ahly.” 

Overall, Riveiro was pleased with his players’ application, even though they absorbed pressure in the latter stages, with Sipho Chaine making a crucial contribution towards the end of the game.

Ahly thought they had equalized through Moustafa Rabia, but the captain was offside in the buildup.

“It was a good game I think and both teams were looking for the results,” said Riveiro. 

“From the first minute, I think the first half was very equal with moments from Pirates, moments from Al Ahly, goal chances, good actions. 

“And the second half obviously, especially after we got the lead, they were throwing everything they had but we managed to defend and do a job in our low block defending. 

“But I think overall, the performance of both teams was good. But I really appreciate my players’ effort playing here in Cairo against a team like Ahly and show the level of resilience they showed and that is good news for the future.”     

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