Pirates and Sundowns chase African dream

Orlando Pirates are hoping that their recent rich vein of form in their domestic campaign can help them redeem their Champions League campaign as they prepare to face Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum at the Orlando Stadium tonight.

The Buccaneers come into the clash high in confidence after assuming top position in the domestic league after fellow title contenders Mamelodi Sundowns, who will be facing Nigeria’s Lobi Stars on Saturday, slipped in a midweek fixture.

Pirates’ continental ambitions hit a major snag last month after a 2-0 defeat by reigning African champions Esperance at an empty Stade Olympique. The loss saw the Buccaneers slip to third in group C after Horoya did the job against the wounded FC Platinum, who will be going all out to cause an upset in Soweto.

READ: Pirates winger Pule out of Platinum clash

Speaking after their midweek draw against Bloemfontein Celtics that saw them move to the top of the table, Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic said he was worried about his team’s lack of killer instinct from the get-go in their recent matches.

“It sometimes seems as if we need to be provoked before we start playing our usual game,” said a worrisome Sredojevic.

“We have tough task ahead of us in the Champions League and need to get our campaign back on track with this fixture against FC Platinum.”

Sredojevic’s assistant, Fadlu Davids, also cautioned his players to put the league campaign on pause and focus all their energies on Friday’s clash.

“We have to quickly change our focus to the Champions League. We are playing a team that has nothing to lose so we have to be prepared. We have to match them in every department because they can be a dangerous side. Should we apply ourselves, we should be able to match them and hopefully get the result we want.”

The hosts are forced to change things in the middle of the park with the injury of the hard-working Ben Motshwari and Linda Mntambo while skillful forward Vincent Pule will be on in the match day squad due to suspension.

READ: Sundowns shift focus to Africa

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane said they would need to immediately put their league defeat behind them as they prepare to face Nigeria’s Lobi Stars at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening.

A win for the club from the South African capital could see them secure a place in the quarter finals before having to travel to Morocco in their final group match against Wydad Casablanca.

“We have a big one to look forward to. It’s national agenda, which will put another star on top of our badge,” said Mosimane after their 2-1 loss to Cape Town City.

The Brazilians will be relying on their regulars to run rings around the physical Nigerians who are very much still in contention for a quarter final spot and pipping Sundowns to a second-place finish.

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