Orlando Pirates continue their Caf Champions League’s Group C adventure on Saturday with an entertaining fixture against Stade d’Abidjan.
It will be a massive game for the Soweto giants who know a win will take them closer to the next phase of the annual competition.
The Buccaneers have had a week to prepare for the match that will be staged at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
Stade d’Abidjan vs Pirates: Form Guide & Head-to-Head Record
The Ivorian outfit have not started the campaign as they may have anticipated. In the initial two Group C games played, they have suffered as many losses, conceding five goals and scored just two in process.
As a result, they have been placed at the bottom of the table with no points.
The Buccaneers recorded an impressive 2-1 win in their matchday one game played away against Algerian heavyweights CR Belouizdad.
Bucs’ second game was against the defending champions Al Ahly at the Orlando Stadium last weekend, a game that ended 0-0.
Stade d’Abidjan vs Pirates: What they said
Coach Jose Riveiro is not anticipating an easy outing on Saturday, “It’s an away game, they didn’t get a good result in the first game in Cairo, but you can see the type of team they are, we managed to see they have multiple [videos], they are quite rigid, tactically.
“For sure an away game is going to be tough, it’s going to be difficult but I’m optimistic. I’m looking at the future like an opportunity for us to fight for three points and imagine if we do it?
“To find ourselves in the third game of the group stage with those points [seven] it will be nice, but we know we have to work so hard to make it possible like we did in Algeria, like we did [against Al Ahly] but still everything to play [for] in this group.”
Bucs defender Thabiso Monyane is delighted with what has been achieved by the Premier Soccer League team.
“It wasn’t easy [against Al Ahly] especially for the teams to play at 3 in Orlando, but you know we managed to fight as a team, it goes to show that we’re not only strong going forward but defensively too,” the right-back stated.
“It’s something we have been working on and you know in times like this, in a tournament like this, you are going to be put on the back foot and I feel this was a tough test, a good test and we’re looking forward to doing more as we go forward.
“It’s been a good start for us in CAF, we’re looking forward to doing our best and as we take things one game at a time, and just take things as they come,” he concluded.
Stade d’Abidjan vs Pirates: Team News & Starting XI
The Soweto giants have no new injuries ahead of the match which is a massive boost for Riveiro. Patrick Maswanganyi is expected to be back for the tricky assignment.
The hosts will welcome Babacar Gueye who missed the 1-0 loss against CR Belouizdad in their last outing.
Pirates Probable XI: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Sibisi, Sesane, Makhaula, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Nkota, Makgopa
Stade d’Abidjan Probable XI: Bamba, Traore, Kouakou, Toure, Zaddy, Aka, Niampa, Assale, Kore, Kone, Kouyate
Stade d’Abidjan vs Pirates
The match will be live on SuperSport TV and SABC Sport. It will kick off at 18.00 hours, South African time.