Rivals in awe of Pirates’ performance

du Sahel over two legs to capture the second tier trophy.

And on the strength of their route to the final, where they scored in every match and only lost twice – to Zamalek on both occasions – the Buccaneers will probably get the better of the Tunisians.

This much their team manager Williams Okpara believes, the man who was in goal when Pirates stunned Asec Mimosas to win Africa’s premier club knockout competition two decades ago.

“In every match we have played in this tournament we have scored goals. Our aim is to make sure that we win convincingly at home so that we make them to come at us when we go to their place. We will do to them exactly what we did to Ahly.”

Clive Barker, the Maritzburg United coach shares the sentiment.

“I believe they will bring the trophy back (home), I have a good feeling about that. They did it in 1995 and they can do it now. It will be good SA football.”

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane admitted to feeling a bit jealous of the Buccaneers: “All we can do is envy them and wish them all the best. They are showing that they are the biggest team in South Africa in terms of continental football.

“We need to follow them, we need to copy the good things that they are doing. My team when we went to (TP) Mazembe we were a little anxious, we showed them some respect. Pirates are not afraid, they do not respect anybody, they play and they win,” he said.

“Pirates are really making sure that the flag flies high. They didn’t prove this only by going through but they went to Egypt and scored four. They beat the indomitable Al Ahly, winners of 18 continental titles, team of the century. We really must give credit to Orlando Pirates.”

Mpumalanga Black Aces’ Muhsin Ertugral agreed: “Pirates did very well to get that win in Egypt. They were fantastic,” he said. “They are a very tricky side to play against.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the Premier Soccer League, Brandt de Villiers is delighted that Pirates are changing perceptions about the region.

“Southern African clubs have struggled in continental club championships in the last 10 years or so. What Pirates have done and continue to do is to affirm the belief that football in the Southern African region is on the rise. To reach the Champions League and Confederation Cup finals in a space of two years is a massive feat.”