CAF Champions League

Jose Riveiro, the Orlando Pirates head coach, was thrilled by his side’s performance against Al-Ahly FC during their CAF Champions League match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Riveiro was filled with optimism for his side’s chances in the tournament, highlighting that the draw against Al-Ahly was proof that the Buccaneers can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the CAF Champions League.

Riveiro was speaking to the media as he reflected on his side’s 0-0 draw with the  Red Devils in an entertaining clash at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The two sides are level on points at the top of Group C, with Al-Ahly claiming first spot by virtue of superior goal difference.  

“The lesson for us is that, when we play at this level of concentration, ambition and determination, then we can compete with anyone on the day,” said Riveiro during his chat with the media after the teams slugged it out for their hard-fought draw.

“Again, we came here with an inexperienced and young team, playing against an opponent with a lot of experience in these types of games and with very mature players, and we coped – and in more times and spaces than them, we managed to be superior.

“We should feel stronger after this match, whatever happens in these games, if we face them with the attitude that we did today, tomorrow we’re going to be a better team, and that’s the important thing,” he added.

Pirates’s next match in the Champions League is a group clash against Stade d’Abidjan on Saturday.