BUCS WILL HAVE TO KEEP TABS ON ETOILE ’ S ACOSTA
Brazilian a serious threat
THERE will be danger for Orlando Pirates all over the pitch when they play Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel in the final of the CAF Confederation Cup next week, as the north Africans boast the talents of in-form forward Diogo Acosta.
The 25-year-old Brazilian joined Etoile in June but has netted four goals in seven domestic appearances having settled in well after being used mostly as an impact player by coach Faouzi Benzarti.
And this after netting 13 goals in only 15 starts at his previous club, Sao Caetano, who play in the Sao Paulo state championship in his homeland.
He was top scorer in that competition, which prompted Etoile to bring him on board to replace stalwart forward Baghdad Bounedjah, an Algerian international who scored 25 goals in 47 appearances over two seasons in Tunisia before he was tempted to Qatar by Al Sadd.
The Brazilian has signed a three-year contract and made an instant impact that has him already installed as a crowd favourite.
He has good pace, is able to beat defenders and is sometimes used as a wide player.
He netted on debut in helping Etoile knock CS Sfaxien out of the Tunisian Cup in the quarterfinals, with the club going on to lift that title two weeks later.
The striker has another talent of being able to play as an emergency goalkeeper.
Acosta also has previous experience of playing in South Korea, where he featured for top-flight side Incheon United with some success. So it will require the likes of Siyabonga Sangweni to be tight in the Bucs ’ rearguard to deal with whatever Acosta will throw at them.
Meanwhile, Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe will handle the first leg of the final at Orlando Stadium on November 21. Cameroonian referee Alioum will officiate in the return match in Sousse city eight days later.