Orlando Pirates will begin their CAF Champions League group stage campaign in Algeria with a match against CR Belouizdad lined up on Tuesday.
Pirates will square it off with their hosts at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers as they look to extend their impressive domestic run to the continent although they are in a tricky Group C that also includes record winners and reigning champions Al Ahly of Egypt and Ivorian giants Stade d’Abidjan.
It is therefore important for Pirates to secure maximum points before meetings with the other two but it will not be easy, given they have been away from the competition since 2019 and have players with little or no continental experience.
Head-to-head
This is the first meeting between Pirates and CR Belouizdad although the Buccaneers have faced Algerian opposition before.
Pirates last faced an Algerian team in 1997, when they took on USM Alger over two legs, before they went on to exit the competition at the group stage.
The South African giants have, however, tasted Champions League glory before when they won the trophy in 1996 while CR Belouizdad are yet to lift the trophy.
Form guide
Jose Riveiro’s men, however, come into the match high on confidence, having enjoyed a near perfect first half of the season, winning the MTN8 and storming to the top of the PSL table after seven straight wins.
Pirates are back in the CAF Champions League for the first time since 2019 with most of their players set to get their first taste of group stage action.
Riveiro’s team will also be encouraged by CR Belouizdad’s struggles at home as they are in an unfamiliar 12th position in the league after just two wins from their opening eight matches.
What have they said?
Belouizdad coach Abdelkader Amrani is wary of the threat of Pirates but remains confident of victory on home soil.
“Orlando Pirates is a very respectable and strong team, playing modern football, and currently leading their local championship,” Amrani told the media as per GOAL.
“The match will be very difficult for us, but after our last victory, I hope that confidence will become a habit for the players. A very difficult match awaits us against Orlando Pirates.”
Team news
Pirates are already in Algiers but have not had any fresh injuries other than those that were in the treatment room before the international break.
Riviero will not be with Tapelo Xoki, Sandile Mthethwa, Deano Van Rooyen, Makhehlene Makhaula, Thabiso Lebitso, Thuso Moleleki and Ethan Visagie, who have returned to training but not ready for this match, while Goodman Mosele, Zakhele Lepasa and Olisa Ndah are currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, there is a familiar face in the Belouizdad camp in South African ace Khanyisa Mayo, who quit Cape Town City for the Algerian side in the off-season, and he will perhaps give his coach a lowdown on what to expect from the Soweto giants.
Time & where to watch?
The match will be live on SuperSport TV and will kick off at 21.00 South African time.
Predicted Pirates XI: Chaine, Monyane, Sibisi, Sesane, Hotto, Mbatha, Kimvuidi, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Mofokeng, Makgopa
