Orlando Pirates v RSB Berkane – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Orlando Pirates face RSB Berkane in the CAF Confederations Cup final on Friday evening in Uyo, Nigeria. Bucs will be playing in their fourth continental final, more than any other South African club. After losing in the final in this competition twice, they face a team with pedigree. Berkane were runners-up in 2019 and lifted this cup in 2020.

Pirates Form

The Sea Robbers have been inconsistent all season. Their last eight matches in the DSTV Premiership have yielded just two wins with four draws and two defeats. Their most recent league match saw a 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened TS Galaxy.

Pirates reached this final by topping their group, leading to a quarter-final against Simba SC of Tanzania. A 1-0 away loss was followed by a 1-0 home victory and a win on penalties, their first in 10 shootout attempts. The semi-final proved more comfortable as they cruised to a 2-0 win away at Al Ahli Benghazi. The home leg saw a late 1-0 defeat but they managed the lead well in the second leg and got the job done.

Pirates Team News

Co-coaches Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi have a pretty settled team. Paseka Mako is out with a facial fracture but Innocent Maela is an able deputy. Ben Motshwari is competing with Thabang Monare for a place in midfield with the former expected to start.

Kwame Peprah should lead the line with fit-again Thembinkosi Lorch in support. Vincent Pule has returned from seven months out injured but is expected to settle for a place on the bench.

Pirates Motivation

Bucs are desperate to lift this trophy and make it two pieces of silverware in 18 months. The two co-coaches are yet to win anything as head coaches in their careers so motivation is sky-high for them.

Expect a relatively structured approach with not too many men committed forward. The first goal will be key as Pirates are not that well-equipped to chase matches.

RSB Berkane Form

The Moroccan club’s route to the final was a bit less straightforward than that of their opponents. With just one point on their travels in the group stage, they had to win on matchday six to progress to the second spot on goals scored. In the quarter-finals, they lost 2-1 away in Egypt to nine-man Al Masry before winning the home leg 1-0 to advance on away goals.

The semi-final saw a 1-0 first leg away loss to TP Mazembe but they roared to a 4-1 home win in the second leg. A key factor was a red card for their opponents for dissent with the score at 1-1. Three late goals secured passage to the showpiece. With the focus on continental success, Berkane have lost three of their last four Botola Pro league matches.

RSB Berkane Team News

Coach Jean-Florent Ibengé doesn’t have any major injury concerns for this match or suspensions. The former CAF Champions League runner-up as a coach is expected to set his side up in a 4-3-3. Speedy winger Youssef El Fahli has five goals in the competition (three from the spot) and is a key figure.

Berkane have a vastly experienced midfield with captain Najji Larbi anchoring it and veteran playmaker Bakr El Helali providing the creativity.

RSB Berkane Motivation

The Moroccan club will be hugely motivated to win this match. They have an excellent recent history in the competition and have made it the priority in recent months ahead of their league position.

They are a relatively attacking team but have relied hugely on facing opponents with a man less in the knockouts and have been handed a large number of penalties to reach this stage.

Key Stats

Orlando Pirates have lost their last 2 CAF Confed Cup finals

Pirates have won just 2 of their last 8 PSL matches (D4, L2)

Pirates have won 3 of their last 5 away matches in this competition

RSB Berkane have won none of their last 5 away matches in the CAF Confed Cup (L4, D1)

RSB Berkane have lost 6 of their last 13 matches (league and CAF Confed)

RSB Berkane have reached 2 of the last 3 CAF Confed Cup finals (W1, L1)

Verdict

This should be a good match. The first goal feels key with the experience of Berkane at managing games and slowing things down. Pirates have been better on the road this season than the Moroccans, who have relied on their home form.

Best Bet: Orlando Pirates win (90 minutes)
Alternative Bet: Both teams to score – no (90 mins)

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis