Mofokeng blow as Pirates take on Lioli in CAF Champions League assignment

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Mofokeng blow as Pirates take on Lioli in CAF Champions League assignment
Image - Pirates

Orlando Pirates are set to play Lioli in the second leg of the CAF Champions League's first preliminary round to be played at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts come into the match thanks to their 3-0 win registered the first leg, which put them strongly in the driving seat. It basically means the Sea Robbers can afford even a 2-0 loss and advance since it will still be a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Considering the way they played in the first leg, the chances of Tse Nala getting a result this weekend will not be easy. However, Bucs might have to do without their 20-year-old youngster Relebohile Mofokeng, who missed Friday's training.

Ouaddou convinced Pirates can deliver without Mofokeng

Orlando Pirates players celebrate Patrick Maswanganyi's goal against Chippa United.
Orlando Pirates players celebrate Patrick Maswanganyi's goal against Chippa United.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou concedes he is not yet sure whether the Bafana Bafana star is available or not; however, he exuded confidence that the available players will do the job.

“I have to speak with my medical department to see what is going on. Rele is an important player for us, but we have to speak with the medical department. I can't tell you more about him,” he said in his pre-match interview.

“About the second question, I don't need to see my players more because I know them. I had two months, three months, especially in the preparation, to see the level of my players, I know them very well.

“What I can tell you is that we will put a competitive team because it's a very important game for me, for the players, and for the club,” he added.

The job is not yet done

Despite a healthy 3-0 lead from the first leg, the former Morocco international insists the job is not yet done.

“It is only the first half; we have the second half to play tomorrow, and it's very important for us. We don't think that it will be easy, we don't take it easy, and for me, we have to really show our superiority tomorrow in front of our fans,” he continued.

“I hope our fans will come and pack the stadium because we need them, like I said, it's always the 12th man. My boys are ready, my boys know exactly what the target is tomorrow,” Ouaddou concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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