sportskeeda
Orlando Pirates’ assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has stressed that their journey to Egypt is motivated by a significant aim: to attain a spot in the CAF Champions League final.
The Buccaneers are set to face a formidable Pyramids side in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at the 30 June Stadium on Friday at 21:00.
The outcome of the tie is still uncertain following a scoreless draw in the first leg that took place last week in South Africa.
Both Pyramids and Pirates are gearing up for an essential showdown in Cairo on Friday night, with a coveted place in the Champions League final at stake.
Following a fiercely contested 0-0 deadlock in the first leg at FNB Stadium, the semi-final remains delicately poised as they prepare for the return match in Cairo. Both teams must dig deep to break the stalemate and secure their advancement to the final.
The Egyptian squad aims to maintain their impressive home record. Pyramids has been outstanding at home in the Champions League this season, winning all four of their home matches and scoring an impressive 17 goals while conceding just three.
Moreover, they have remained unbeaten at home for their last 22 matches across all competitions – a crucial statistic that could play a significant role in this high-stakes encounter.
However, they need to figure out how to break through a resolute Pirates defense that has yet to concede since the group stages. The South African giants have also performed strongly away from home, boasting three victories and a draw in their four away matches, arriving in Cairo filled with confidence.
“We’ve reached a stage where every team in this competition poses a genuine challenge,” Ncikazi mentioned.
“Our main aim for being here is to secure the opportunity to contest in the final. Our preparations are entirely geared towards achieving this goal. We acknowledge that Pyramids is a strong team, but we are equally ready to seize the chance to reach the final. This is the primary focus of our preparations.”
In another Champions League semi-final, the encounter between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly is also tied following their first-leg match in Pretoria last weekend.
Ahly will host Sundowns at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday at 18:00, with the South African team hoping to make history in CAF club competitions by potentially allowing two South African teams to compete in the Champions League final.
Having two South African clubs in the semi-finals of the Champions League is already an impressive feat.
