History against Bucs as they enter CAF final
Ncikazi unfazed by past failures
In the wake of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final, Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi has chosen to ignore the Buccaneers’ rather unsatisfactory history in the finals of intercontinental club competitions.
On Sunday, Pirates defeated Libyan side Al Ahli Tripoli 2-1 on aggregate in the semifinals to secure their spot in the Confed Cup decider, where they will face Moroccan outfit RS Berkane at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, on Friday.
CAF is yet to confirm kickoff time.
It’s Pirates’ fourth final on the continental front. In their previous three finals, Pirates won the 1995 Champions League. In 2013 the Sea Robbers were beaten by Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the Champions League final, before also losing the Confed Cup decider to Tunisian side Etoile Sahel two years later. No SA team has reached more CAF finals than Pirates.*
Ncikazi doesn’t want to read too much into Pirates’ CAF finals history.
“I try to disassociate myself with the dynamics of saying ‘we’ve won there and we didn’t win there’. We try to focus on the game,” said Ncikazi post their 1-0 defeat against Ahli in the second leg of the semifinals at Orlando on Sunday.
Pirates were helped by the two unanswered goals they scored in Libya to achieve a berth in the final, despite losing at Orlando Stadium. Heading into the final, Ncikazi is still fazed by his troops’ bluntness upfront.
The Pirates trainer feels if they can improve their goal conversion rate, they have better chances of lifting the trophy in Nigeria.
“We didn’t play well today (on Sunday). We didn’t follow some of our tactical agreements. We have to improve scoring. I know in the final we will create a chance, the difference will be whether we’ll score or not.”