CAFCL: Orlando Pirates’ Jose Riveiro braces for hostile MC Alger atmosphere

Jose Riveiro: Photo Credit - Orlando Pirates FC.

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has said his South African team expects a hostile atmosphere when they face MC Alger in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first-leg match on Tuesday.

The Spaniard coach spoke to iDiski reporter Lorenz Kohler ahead of the match scheduled for the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algeria.

He said he expects a hostile playing atmosphere since they are playing on the road in Algeria, but added that his players are used to such challenges.

"We already have some experience of playing in that kind of an environment. We know that we will probably experience an antagonistic atmosphere but it is a football atmosphere so we are more than happy to find ourselves there to not only play against the opponent in this case but to try to be cool and to be focused on what matters, which is what is happening on the field and have that experience in front of a very passionate crowd,” Riveiro said.

The Pirates handler said his ultimate aim is for his players to learn from such an intimidating atmosphere and try to get the maximum points.

“It is going to be a nice experience for our players and the future. We will prepare for the game in the same way, with the intention to be ourselves and get the result that we are looking for, which is no other than winning and understanding that it is going to be a very difficult task. It is going to be a very difficult task to get such a result away from home but that is the challenge and we will try to be at that level,” he added.

Pirates are among the form teams of this CAF Champions League campaign after sailing past the group stages unscathed with four wins and one draw to earn a quarterfinal berth for the first time in 12 years ahead of holders Al Ahly.

MC Alger made it into the last eight as the runners-up behind Al Hilal.