Erasmus warns the continent
PIRATES STRIKER: WE WILL NOT BE THE WHIPPING-BOYS
Diminutive star smashes a hat-trick against Gabonese side.
The diminutive Kermit Erasmus believes his team Orlando Pirates will show the African giants that they are no small-fry when they take part in the Caf Confederation Cup playoffs.
The Buccaneers advanced to this stage after a comfortable 3- 0 victory over CF Mounana of Gabon at Orlando Stadium on Saturday where Erasmus scored the fi rst hat-trick of his professional career.
Pirates won 5-2 on aggregate to reach the play-offs where they can be drawn against African giants like Al-Ahly and Raja Casablanca along with a familiar face in AC Leopards of Congo, who were all eliminated in the Caf Champions League.
The draw will be conducted tomorrow with the Buccaneers hosting the second leg at Orlando Stadium on the weekend of June 5 to 7.
“It’s always good playing at the highest level,” Erasmus said. “You evaluate yourself by playing against the best possible. Those are some of the best teams in Africa.
‘’We hope we can get one of the big teams so we can test ourselves to see how far we have come.
“Hopefully we can turn things around and show people that we are not small boys. We are no pushovers. We want to stamp our authority on Africa.”
Erasmus had to watch from the stands when Pirates hosted powerhouses TP Mazembe, Al-Ahly, Zamalek and Esperance in the 2013 Champions League when he was cup-tied.
Now he is guaranteed a start, with his treble helping his cause, when they face bigger teams as they go further.
“It was disappointing when I came to Pirates that I couldn’t play in the Champions League,” Erasmus said.
“I felt I could have contributed to the team. It’s a huge relief that I am playing.
“I am really excited I am part of the team. It helps build character when we keep progressing.
“It helps me mentally as well. The team is hungry to get to the group stages and then go all the way.”