Bucs well set to reach Confed Cup final

IT is Orlando Pirates who will have the easier job on their cards as they prepare to host Al Ahli Tripoli in a CAF Confederation Cup semi-final second leg clash at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto tonight.

The Sea Robbers put one foot in the final last weekend after outplaying Al Ahli and beating them 2-0 in Benghazi. Given that away goals still count in African football, this complicates Al Ahli’s job even further. They have to win by at least two goals.

Despite the fact that his side are clearly in the driving seat ahead of the second leg, Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi is refusing to underestimate the Libyans.

“It is only the halfway point. They can come to South Africa and beat us. We will treat the game seriously because we understand the dynamics of African football. We will give them the respect that they deserve. We will not alter the way that we play but we will prepare for a good team,” said Ncikazi.

While Al Ahli remain alive in the tie on paper, the dynamics of the last game indicates that it will be difficult for them to mount a comeback. Al Ahli were dominated and outsmarted on their home turf in Benghazi. This essentially means that they will have no choice but to attack in the unfamiliar territory for them of the Orlando Stadium. This could easily backfire as they could be vulnerable on the counter attack.

Should Pirates win the Confederation Cup this season, they will end what has been another frustrating season for them on a high. They have again struggled for consistency on the domestic front this season and have not won a league title for the last decade.

Pirates have arguably been the best team in Africa’s second-tier club competition up to this point after dominating their group and will be one of the favourites to win the tournament. Should they win the tournament, they will become the first South African side to win it in its current incarnation.

They have not won a continental competition since winning the Champions League in 1995. They fell short in the 2013 Champions League final against Al Ahly and in the 2015 Confederation Cup final against Etoile du Sahel.