Orlando Pirates’ task is a lot easier ahead of Zamalek game

24 August 2015 - 17:28 By Marc Strydom

Sealing their place in the Caf Confederation Cup semifinals allows Orlando Pirates to go to their last group stage game against Zamalek in Cairo in a position to push to be top of Group B‚ said Bucs coach Eric Tinkler. With an impressive fourth win from five group stage games‚ 2-0 against Congolese club AC Leopards at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night‚ 2013 Champions League finalists Pirates booked their place in a second continental semifinal in three years.Bucs want to beat Zamalek on September 12 to ensure they win the group‚ securing an advantageous away match first in the two-legged semifinal.Tinkler said that task is made that bit easier given Pirates can go to Cairo without the pressure of having to get a result to reach the semis.“Tonight was important for us to qualify‚” Tinkler said after the Leopards game. “And I think the performance was more about getting the result than the way we played. You would have noticed it wasn’t really the brand of football we usually present.“But we felt it was going to be an extremely tactical game and it was vital we remained disciplined and tried to collect the three points. Going to Zamalek‚ it makes the task a lot easier because we have already qualified and we stand a chance of finishing top of the group.”In a Confed Cup that‚ due to circumstances‚ has resembled the more prestigious Champions League for the quality of the clubs that have competed in it‚ Al Ahly and Tunisian club Etoile Du Sahel are the front-runners to reach the semis from Group A.Egyptian giants Ahly were Pirates’ final opponents in 2013. Tinkler said he has no preference for who Pirates meet in the semis.“The players have been keen to meet Al Ahly again. But right now I’m not concerned who we meet. Every team is good in this competition and obviously to win you have got to beat everybody.“Irrespective of who we meet we’re going to have to perform better than we have up to this stage.”It was not a flawless performance from Bucs on Tuesday. They created enough chances to more than deserve their goals from Mpho Makola in the 35th minute and Oupa Manyisa in the 87th. Defensively‚ at times Bucs allowed Leopards too much space‚ and in the first half a stray pass from defender Rooi Mahamutsa almost allowed Tychique Kalema through to score.“We are a very offensive team. And we are going to get caught‚ irrespective of who you’re playing against‚” Tinkler said.“What is important is in terms of our transition‚ how quickly we recover. You’re not going to stop the opposition in terms of creating chances. As long as the principles of defending are applied I can’t sit and criticise the players. But that is something we look at.“I had a look at the goal we conceded against Chippa United [on Tuesday] and we were caught ball-watching. And it is something I’ve addressed with the players.”Leopards coach Lamine Ndiaye was the technical director of the TP Mazembe team Pirates knocked out of the Champions League in 2013. He said Bucs can reach another continental final this year.“I think Orlando Pirates is my Achilles heel‚” Ndiaye said.“That said‚ they are a very good team. They are well organised. The stakes of this competition are getting higher and higher and I believe Pirates will be able to go far.” – The Times..

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