Orlando Pirates coach Micho Sredojevic says it is important for his side to make the most of home advantage when they face African champions Esperance de Tunis on Saturday.
The teams are set to meet in a CAF Champions League Group B clash at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The Sea Robbers are currently on a nine-match unbeaten run which has been carried into the Champions League. They earned a draw and a win from their opening two matches in the competition and are level on points with the visitors in the group standings.
“We are taking on the defending champions of Africa’s biggest club competition. We respect their achievements on the continent, but we are Orlando Pirates and the star on our badge represents the same great achievement. It will be the meeting of two champion teams who know what the competition is about,” said a confident Micho.
The Serbian coach also stressed the importance of the team taking their chances against a quality side such as Esperance, stressing that the away leg won’t be easy, and they need to get a result at home.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We need to take advantage at home before going there because we are going into very cold conditions in Tunis. A win will certainly boost our chances in the group ahead of the return leg.” [/perfectpullquote]
The Buccaneers saw off Horoya 3-0 last time out in the Champions League, with Thembinkosi Lorch and Justin Shonga getting the goals.
They were, however, knocked out of the Nedbank Cup last weekend after losing on penalties to Black Leopards following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Esperance have also earned a win and a draw in their opening two matches in this year’s Champions League. They claimed a 2-0 victory over Platinum Stars last time out and are level on points with the hosts.
The Blood and Gold are coming into this game from 1-0 over Gabes in a Tunisia Cup which makes their coach Mouine Chaabani believe his charges are heading in the right direction to say a fourth Champions League title.
“Securing the three factors was our foremost goal on this second sport. Our opponents posed no risk to us,” Chaabani stated.
“We had been nicely ready to deal with their counter-attacks. We’re heading in the right direction with the 4 factors we’ve thus far.”
The other teams in the group are FC Platinum (Zimbabwe) and Horoya (Guinea).
Respected Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa will be in charge of the game between Pirates and Esperance.
