Photo Courtesy Orlando Pirates Media.
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro believes his side have shown they can compete at the highest level following their 2-1 Caf Champions League win against African champions Al Ahly at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.
The fixture took place with both sides qualified for the knockouts, but vying for a first-place finish in the group. It was the Buccaneers who reigned supreme, bagging their second away victory in as many matches in North Africa.
The result also ensured that they finished the group unbeaten with an impressive 14 points, edging clear of the Egyptians who began the recently-concluded phase of the competition as favourites.
Relebohile Mofokeng pounced on a loose ball inside the box, and made no mistake in converting the chance and make it 1-0 to the visitors. Hussein El Shahat drew the Red Devils level when he chipped the Bucs keeper after his side had turned possession over following a loose pass down the middle.
Pirates won the game when Kabelo Dlamini delivered a cross from the left flank into the box, met by Tshegofatso Mabasa whose header crashed into the crossbar. Gilberto was on hand to make the most of the rebound as he headed in from close range for his first competitive goal in Pirates colours.
“The win is a message for ourselves, for a young team and to know that we have the capacity to compete against scenarios like this one and not only about the result, but the capacity to compete, to perform and stay on the game in the difficult times and that is the most important thing,” Riveiro told Pan-Africa Football.
“The result is very important because we are on top of the group, we are very happy but again, for me the most important thing is the character and the personality that the players showed in a stadium like this one and against a team like Al Ahly.”
On the overall performance of the game, Riveiro said: “It was a good game, I think both teams started for a good result from the first minute, I think the first half was very equal with moments for Pirates, moments for Al Ahly, goal chances and good actions.
“And the second half obviously after we got the lead, they started to throw everything at us but we managed to defend and did a good job in our low block defense with a little bit of luck that is also important in such type of games, but I think overall it was a good performance of both teams and I really appreciate them.
“I congratulate my players for the result tonight, playing here in Cairo against a team like Al Ahly and showed the level of resilient that they showed is something that is very good for us.”
Commenti