Ahly are not a difficult team: Orlando Pirates coach
The Pirates coach Eric Tinkler said that Zamalek are a more difficult side than Ahly after his team lost two recent matches against them
Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler voiced confidence ahead of Sunday's Confederation Cup clash against Ahly in the second-leg of the competition's semis saying his side is capable of earning a win in Cairo as he believes that Ahly are not a difficult team.
The South African side claimed a narrow 1-0 win at home in the first-leg on Saturday and they will be looking to produce a positive result away to secure a place in the final.
"We have played against them before in the Champions League and they are not a difficult team," Tinkler said.
Ahly won their eighth Champions League title at the expense of Orlando Pirates, defeating them 2-0 in the final in Cairo after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Johannesburg.
The 45-year-old coach believes that the Egyptian champions Zamalek are more difficult than Ahly as his side had a recent experience against them who handed the Pirates their only two defeats in the group stage.
Zamalek defeated Orlando 2-1 in Johannesburg before thrashing them 4-1 in Cairo.
"Zamalek are more difficult than Ahly, but we won't take the game on Sunday for granted,” he said.
Tinkler insisted that his side will attack Ahly during Sunday's clash denying all reports suggesting that he will play a defensive game in Cairo.
“We won't just sit back and relax but attack and open them up so that they don't come hard on us. It won't be a walk in the park but we can win the game," Tinkler concluded.
Pirates going for the kill in Egypt
Complacency will have no place when Orlando Pirates take on Al Ahly in the second leg of the Caf Confederations Cup semifinal on Saturday.
The Buccaneers go into the match at the New Suez Stadium in Ismailia Egypt on Sunday night, with a 1-0 lead from last weekend.
Judging from the mood of Pirates players at OR Tambo International Airport, ahead of their departure, they're confident.
However, Pirates coach, Eric Tinkler, maintains they still have all to play for in Egypt.
“We still got a job to do going there. They're a very good team. We are going to have the same gutsy performance we showed at home defensively away from home. We need to try to protect that lead at the same time we need to look to get an away goal then that gives us an advantage.”
Despite having lost their last outing in Egypt, Tinkler is positive his troops can achieve the result that will seal their place in the final.
But he admits an all-round performance will be required to achieve that.
“Other than the game against Zamalek, we've been having good results away from home and we need to go back to those performances. We need to protect our lead. We need to attack them. But we need to remember to keep the back door closed.”
Reports have surfaced that fans might not be allowed into the stadium, because of security concerns. However, Orlando Pirates Captain Happy Jele says they are prepared for anything.
“We played against them in the 2013 Champions League. We know them and we know the atmosphere that we gonna get there, because they said it's gonna be in-doors, but (so was) the final as well last time. But we end up playing with the huge crowd. There is a lot of tempting things they can do to intimidate us. But we prepared in terms of that.”
The Egyptian giants will need to beat Pirates by two outright goals, if they are to book their place in this year Caf Confederations Cup final.
In the other semifinal, Tunisian side Eyoile du Sahel take a 5-1 advantage to Zamalek on Saturday evening.
'The Ghosts' reacted differently to their side's 1-0 win over African giants and Caf Confed Cup holders Al Ahly last weekend, but how should Tinkler approach the second leg?
Orlando Pirateshead to Egypt brimming with confidence following their 1-0 over Al Ahly in the first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup semi-finals and a draw on Sunday would be enough to see them advance to the finals.
The Buccaneers go into the match at the New Suez Stadium in Ismailia Egypt on Sunday night, with a 1-0 lead from last weekend.
Judging from the mood of Pirates players at OR Tambo International Airport, ahead of their departure, they're confident.
However, Pirates coach, Eric Tinkler, maintains they still have all to play for in Egypt.
“We still got a job to do going there. They're a very good team. We are going to have the same gutsy performance we showed at home defensively away from home. We need to try to protect that lead at the same time we need to look to get an away goal then that gives us an advantage.”
Despite having lost their last outing in Egypt, Tinkler is positive his troops can achieve the result that will seal their place in the final.
But he admits an all-round performance will be required to achieve that.
“Other than the game against Zamalek, we've been having good results away from home and we need to go back to those performances. We need to protect our lead. We need to attack them. But we need to remember to keep the back door closed.”
Reports have surfaced that fans might not be allowed into the stadium, because of security concerns. However, Orlando Pirates Captain Happy Jele says they are prepared for anything.
“We played against them in the 2013 Champions League. We know them and we know the atmosphere that we gonna get there, because they said it's gonna be in-doors, but (so was) the final as well last time. But we end up playing with the huge crowd. There is a lot of tempting things they can do to intimidate us. But we prepared in terms of that.”
The Egyptian giants will need to beat Pirates by two outright goals, if they are to book their place in this year Caf Confederations Cup final.
In the other semifinal, Tunisian side Eyoile du Sahel take a 5-1 advantage to Zamalek on Saturday evening.
'The Ghosts' reacted differently to their side's 1-0 win over African giants and Caf Confed Cup holders Al Ahly last weekend, but how should Tinkler approach the second leg?
Orlando Pirateshead to Egypt brimming with confidence following their 1-0 over Al Ahly in the first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup semi-finals and a draw on Sunday would be enough to see them advance to the finals.
Eric Tinkler’s charges already know what to expect from the defending champions, having played them twice away from home in the Caf Champions League two years ago and therefore their approach could be different.
A few South African clubs, including Platinum Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns, previously got decent results against Al Ahly at home, but struggled to impose themselves in Egypt.
This time, Pirates go into the second leg knowing that a draw would be enough for them to go through, while an early goal will put them in the driver’s seat and in pole position to qualify for the finals.
Tinkler has emphasized the importance of keeping a clean sheet away to Al Ahly, something he successfully achieved in the first leg, while stand-in captain Rooi Mahamutsa warned his teammates of the challenge that lies ahead.
Will they again manage to keep the Red Devils of Egypt at bay without Siyabonga Sangweni in defence and Oupa Manyisa in midfield?
Some felt Bibo wasn’t on top of his game, while others lauded him after the match, and that alone could give Tinkler a nice headache as he has to choose between Issa Sarr, Lehlogonolo Masalesa and Ntshumayelo in this do or die clash.
Gift Motupa made a good impression before he got injured, a few of the club fans wanted him to replace Manyisa in the middle of the park.
A 4-4-2 system worked wonders for Tinkler in Soweto, but he may decide against using the same formation away from, most importantly because they have a lead to protect.
At least some of our Goal readers felt Pirates were impressive at home against a formidable side, and the fans expect them to continue with their good form again this weekend.
The Sea Robbers are yet lose a match away from home in this year’s competition, and that could be a good omen for them to finish off Al Ahly, although that will depend on the club’s approach on the day.
Should Bucs prepare themselves for an Al Ahly backlash in Suez on Sunday night?
Often we’ve seen Al Ahly play a totally different football at home, and as defending champions, they certainly won’t go down without a fight.
Now, how do you think Tinkler and his technical team should approach Al Ahly in the second leg of the Caf Confed Cup semi-final in Suez this Sunday?
Bafana continue drop in rankings
Johanensburg - Bafana Bafana continued their steady drop in the Fifa World rankings as they dropped one place to 73rd in the rankings released on Thursday.
South Africa are ranked 17th in Africa.
In September, Bafana lost an Afcon 2017 qualifier match against the much-lower ranked Mauritania 3-1. Mauritania rose 25 places to 89th in the rankings as result of their shock win.
Days later Bafana beat Senegal 1-0 in an international friendly.
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