Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has Caf Confederation Cup title in his sights

16 March 2021 - 16:34 By mahlatse mphahlele
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Tshepo Chaine of Uthongathi is challenged by Happy Jele of Orlando Pirates during the Nedbank Cup match at Orlando Stadium on February 6 2021.
Tshepo Chaine of Uthongathi is challenged by Happy Jele of Orlando Pirates during the Nedbank Cup match at Orlando Stadium on February 6 2021.
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix/Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele is confident that the club's current generation of players can better the class of 2015 and win the Caf Confederation Cup.

Jele is the only remaining member of the Buccaneers team that lost 1-2 on aggregate to Étoile du Sahel of Tunisia in the 2015 final and he believes his current teammates can go all the way to the title.

Pirates host Nigerian giants Enyimba FC at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday and will be in search of their first win of the group stages after two matches. A win in Soweto would move the Bucs to the top of their group.

“I see a lot of potential in this team because of the way we play‚ and the effort that we put in‚” said Jele. “We work for one another on the field and it is possible that we can reach the final again and even get the cup. We have a good squad‚ all we have to do is to go out there and get the desired results as we go along.”

Jele said they have a pretty good idea of what to expect when they face the two-time Confederation Cup champions.

“We had a chance to watch some of the Enyimba videos on Sunday and Monday. We know that they are a dangerous team‚ but we have also noted some of their weaknesses that we will be looking to exploit.

“For us it is just go out there and do what we are supposed to do‚ which is get three points at home. The technical team has prepared us well.

“This competition is important for us because Pirates is a big brand and we need to consistently compete at the highest level on the continent.”

He said that as a senior player he had to share his knowledge with the rest of the guys.

“Last week we earned a valuable draw away to ES Setif of Algeria and obviously the guys are highly motivated. It is very important for us to win at home.”

Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer echoed his captain and said winning at home is essential.

“As a coach or player‚ there is always pressure at a big club like Pirates. But we need this pressure because most of the time it gives us the motivation to go for three points.

“These are two teams that are very big in their countries with lots of pressure‚ but I know that players are completely focused and this is what you want as a player and as a coach.

“It is normal for players to measure themselves against other big teams and other big players. I think the first goal is to win against Enyimba. Pressure is our daily business, in football there is always pressure and we need it to motivate us for good results‚” said Zinnbauer.

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