Pirates target Confed Cup progress

Orlando Pirates will look to advance into the final qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup when they host Gabon’s CF Mounana for the return leg of their second round tie.

Kick-off at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, will be at 20:15 CAT and the match will be broadcast live on SS4 HD

Pirates come into the match in a strong position, having recovered from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Libreville earlier this month.

Bucs were in dire trouble at 2-0 down in the second half, but late goals from Lehlohonolo Majoro and Thabo Rakhale turned the tie in their favour. The South African side now knows that any win, or a draw with a goalless or 1-1 score line, will see them through.

However, Eric Tinkler’s men must assume that Mounana will once again be difficult opponents. The Gabonese should really have won the first leg comfortably, as they dominated play and created many scoring opportunities.

They are unlikely to be as effective away from home, but the pace and strength they demonstrated in the first leg will come in handy if they play a counterattacking strategy in the return game in Soweto.

In addition, Bucs could have weary legs for the match. After their draw in Gabon and the lengthy trip back to South Africa, they were held to a goalless draw by University of Pretoria in a domestic clash last Friday, while they are also in action this midweek.

Tinkler will have to juggle his squad to ensure his side remains sprightly and continue on their African adventure – after the failures of Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in the Champions League, Bucs are the only SA side still standing in CAF club competition.

The referee for the match is Davies Ogenche Omweno from Kenya. The winners will advance into the playoff round of the Confederation Cup, where they will face one of eight losers from the current Champions League round. The winners of those eight ties advance into the group stage.