Pirates to face Tunisian side in first leg final of Confed Cup

Kickoff for this all-important match is set for 8pm, and the Mighty Buccaneers, who have reached a second final of a Caf competition in just a little under a year, will be carrying the South African flag high.

To reach this final, the Soweto giants have conquered all and sundry before them, including well-known Egyptian giants of African football, Al Ahly SC, Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien, and Congolese powerhouse AC Leopards.

The Mighty Buccaneers drew at home to another powerful Egyptian side, Zamalek SC but were beaten in the away leg, though they had already qualified for the semis.

Although faced with a lesser-known Tunisian outfit, Pirates will have to guard against complacency as this Tunisian team can be equally formidable by virtue of having reached the final after disposing of Zamalek.

Etoile du Sahel’s pedigree is not to be understated, as they too have a Caf Champions League victory under their belt, a feat achieved in the 2007 edition. In that final, they vanquished no less of an opponent than Al Ahly, with a resounding 3-1 aggregate over two legs, and that alone should spell danger for Pirates who should be wide-awake in this final, especially in the home leg.

Coach Eric Tinkler is all too aware of the fact that while the pageantry of a final exists, there is a bigger story at play given that this is the one Caf trophy missing from the Buccaneers’ cabinet to complete the continental trinity after winning the 1995 CAF Champions’ League and 1996 Super Cup trophy.

“Pirates is a big club with a rich history and it is an honour to be part of that history. Naturally we would like nothing better than to positively contribute to the legacy of the club,” Tinkler said.

Etoile du Sahel earned itself a place in the final by beating the best, and the Buccaneers will have to take this into cognisance or downplay it at their peril.