Bucs aim for second star

The quest for a second gold star has gained momentum in recent weeks as Orlando Pirates' prospects in the African Champions League have brightened.

But how realistic are the chances that the club could add another continental title to its honours list and add a second star above their badge in the fashion of top teams in Europe?

Pirates find themselves with a home match on Saturday to mark the halfway point of the group phase, and a chance to push up to seven points at the expense of Egyptian giants Zamalek.

If Pirates achieve that - and, a little earlier on Saturday afternoon, Congo's AC Leopards win at home to holders Al Ahly - then the outcome of the group could be virtually settled with three rounds of matches still to go.

Leopards and Pirates each have four points after two games to one each for the Egyptian pair, who started as favourites but are floundering as the political crisis in their country begins to have an adverse effect on finances and morale.

Home wins for the Congolese and South African representatives on Saturday will stretch their lead to six points and leave the Egyptians with an almost impossible task of conjuring up a recovery.

The top two sides in the group advance to October's semifinals, during which they meet the two best finishers from Group B. That is a lot tighter to predict, but form would suggest last year's runners-up Esperance will win. Second place will go to one of the other three sides - Coton Sport of Cameroon, Recreativo Libolo of Angola and Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast.

If Pirates reach the semifinals, they will have little to fear.

Since the Arab spring in their country, Tunisia's Esperance have been a fading force and the other three sides offer little that is special. Libolo eliminated Pirates in the first round of last year's Champions League, but that was a fluke result in which the Buccaneers were caught horribly cold.

"Maybe they can send a message about the potential of the South African league," suggested Paris- based Frank Simon, the foremost expert on African football in the French press.

"I'd like to see it [Pirates' success] happen. I was there in Abidjan when they won in 1995 and remember even getting a lift back from the ground in their bus ... [and saw] the celebrations.

"I've been impressed with Leopards. I think they are a dangerous outsider, but, with all their difficulties, I don't see the Egyptians, or Esperance, posing a threat.

"There is a strong possibility that Pirates will make the semifinals, and, after that, everything is possible," Simon said yesterday.