Pirates set sights on Platinum
IT is crunch time for Orlando Pirates in the Caf Champions League. Tonight they face FC Platinum at Orlando Stadium in Soweto at 9pm.
The Buccanneers are third on the log with five points after four games. They are three points behind leaders Esperance of Tunisia.
A win for Pirates will ensure that they are on the verge of qualifying for the next stage of the competition, while a loss could jeopardise their chances of reaching the knockout stage.
FC Platinum have struggled in the competition. The Zimbabwean outfit are at the foot of the table. They are yet to open their account in Africa’s premier club competition.
FC Platinum have managed only one point which came against Pirates in a 0-0 stalemate. Apart from that their performances have also produced nothing to write home about.
FC Platinum have suffered four defeats. Pirates will be looking to take advantage of that poor record.
The Soweto giants will be brimming with confidence after going on top of the Absa Premiership log standings on Tuesday when they shared the spoils with Bloemfontein Celtic following a 1-1 result.
Pirates have a decent history in continental competitions. In 1995, they become the first team from South Africa to lift the Caf Champions League. In 2006,they were knocked out of the semi-finals while in 2013 they were the losing finalists.
Pirates also reached the final of the Caf Confederation Cup in 2015 but lost to Etolie du Sahel of Tunisia.
The Bucanneers will be hoping to go the distance in this year’s edition of the Champions League, but they know that they have to get the job done at home against FC Platinum.
Their last game will be away against Horoya of Guinea. It won’t be easy in Conakry and that’s why it is important that they do the job of securing maximum points at home.