Orlando Pirates are just one victory away from R17 million which will be the incentive for making it to the CAF Champions League quarter-final.
Pirates host Algerian side CR Belouizdad at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday and victory will seal their place in the last eight as they currently lead Group C.
Jose Riveiro’s team are top of a tight group with eight points, just one more than Egyptian giants and holders Al Ahly, while Belouizdad are third with six, all having played four games.
It means Pirates can take their tally to 11 points with a win against the Algerian side, which would make it unassailable for Belouizdad, even if they win their final match against bottom-placed Stade d’Abidjan, while the Buccaneers will head to Cairo to face Al Ahly without pressure in their final group tie.
What awaits Pirates in the latter stages?
Confederation of African Football (CAF) set aside a big prize purse for this season’s competition with Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and all the teams that made it to the group stages receiving $700,000 (R13.3 million) each but more awaits those who make it past their groups.
Champions League quarter-finalists will each pocket $900,000 (R17 million) while those that make it to the semi-final set for a $1.2 million (R23 million) cash boost.
If Pirates go as far as the final, they will pocket $2 million (R38 million) for finishing second while a $4 million (R76 million) cheque will go their way if they pull off a first Champions League win since 1996.
Jose Riveiro not getting carried away
Riveiro is, however, focused on Sunday’s match and is hoping to have a fully fit squad for the clash.
“Now we have to put our minds into the Champions League game. Our obsession is to have as many players available as possible and we are doing a good job in that sense,” said Riveiro.
“Like I have explained many times, the schedule this season is a new space for all of us that we are learning to explore and to understand and so far, so good, we cannot complain about that.”
Pirates are unbeaten in the Champions League this season and will make a major statement of intent if they qualify for the quarter-final given they had not made it to the group stages since 2019.
