SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 02: during the CAF Champions League Final 1st Leg match between Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly from Orlando Stadium on November 02, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
With Orlando Pirates in a bid to emulate the class of 2013 in reaching the CAF Champions League final, former midfielder Sifiso Myeni has revealed what worked for them 12 years ago.
Pirates, on paper, appear to have got a kind draw in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, as they will face Algerian side MC Alger from the beginning of April over two legs.
The winner between the sides will face the victor between Egyptian side Pyramids and AS FAR Rabat in the semi-finals.
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After beating record champions and holders Al Ahly in the group stages, the Buccaneers supporters and South Africans have reasons to believe that Jose Riveiro’s charges can go all the way to the final for the first time since 2013 and final clinch the second star on the badge.
Myeni, who was part of the team that eventually lost to the Red Devils in the final 12 years ago, says what was crucial for them reaching the last stages was the experience they had in the squad.
“The (CAF) Champions League (final) the person that made us believe more was the likes of the late Senzo (Meyiwa) and people who played a bigger role for us to achieve also is the chairman (Dr. Irvin Khoza), the two players from Africa, (Collins) Mbesuma and Okonkwo and Teboho Moloi,” Myeni said on Izinja zeGame podcast with Josta Dladla.
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“Because if it was not for them, that game in DRC (against AC Leopards in group stages) we were never going to come back! We had players who understood (conditions and mentality on the continent), that’s what made us make it to the final, that hunger.
“(For example against Leopards), first foul, captain Lucky (Lekgwathi), straight red card! When Lucky got a red card, Okonkwo said we must go out (of the field), we were walking out of the pitch and then he said, ‘Guys I’m playing, let’s go back’ and said ‘I’m playing with the referee’s mind, you will see he must balance the sides’,” Myeni added.
Pirates reached the knockout stages for the first time this season since they reached the final in 2013.
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