Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has called on his charges to remain focused on the task at hand after clinching a 1-0 win over MC Alger in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinals tie in Algiers on Tuesday night.

The Buccaneers, pinned back in their half for a large chunk of the match, which forced them to adopt a pragmatic style of play, stunned the defending Algerian champions courtesy of substitute Mohau Nkota’s second-half strike.

Notably, the goal proved to be Nkota’s third at the Stade du 5 Juillet Stadium this season as the 20-year-old speedy winger grabbed a brace against Khanyisa Mayo’s CR Belouizdad in their opening group stage match of the competition in November last year.

In the wake of the result, the Spanish mentor cut a chuffed figure, expressing his delight in defying the odds and getting a favorable result on North African soil, in addition to registering the crucial away goal with the second leg on the horizon.

“I think it’s a good way to start the quarterfinals. Coming here [in Algeria] to play MC Alger in their ground, in this atmosphere, everything was clearly against us to get a good result, and I’m so proud of how the players applied themselves to fight for this one,” said Riveiro.

“It wasn’t easy because, like I said, the opponent is good, especially at home; they play with decent speed. It’s a good way to start. It goes without saying, to score a goal away from home in this competition is something very important.”

Despite being pleased with the victory, Riveiro warned that the job is not yet done, highlighting that he expects another tough encounter in South Africa. However, the Bucs tactician remains hopeful that his troops will turn up again and book a spot in the semi-final.

“But still, we have to play 90 minutes at least in Orlando, and football is unpredictable. I think it’s going to be a very equal second game, and hopefully we can be better than them again in Johannesburg,” he added.

Pirates, the 1995 champions, will host the 1976 Champions League and eight-time Algerian Ligue 1 winners at Orlando Stadium in the second leg of the clash on 9 April, with a meeting against either Egypt’s Pyramids FC or AS FAR of Morrocco on the line.