Pirates Set Sail in CAF Champions League: All Eyes on La Cure Waves Clash!

Orlando Pirates are set to host Mauritian champions La Cure Waves in the crucial second leg of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie. The match will take place on Saturday, 12 September, at the Orlando Amstel Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00. This encounter follows a goalless draw in the first leg held in Port Louis, leaving the tie delicately poised with everything to play for in Soweto.

The Buccaneers head into this decisive match under considerable pressure, having failed to score an away goal in the initial encounter. For Orlando Pirates, the path to the next round is clear: they must secure a victory, even if by a single goal margin. A score draw, however, would see Pirates eliminated from the competition on the away-goal rule, while a repeat of the scoreless draw would send the game directly to a penalty shootout. Last season, Pirates faced an early continental exit, being knocked out in the second preliminary round by Saint Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite this, they went on to win a treble, their first in 14 years, during the 2011-12 season.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side will be looking to leverage their home advantage at the Orlando Amstel Arena, combined with the expected fervent support from the Soweto faithful. Ouaddou admitted that his side had aimed to return from Mauritius with an away goal but sees the home leg as another opportunity to progress. "We had the first half in Mauritius. We went there to get a result and at least score a goal. We didn’t, but have a chance here at home to go through to the next stage," he stated.

For the second leg, Orlando Pirates have made several changes to their lineup. Players like Deon Hotto, Cristian Derbyshire, Simphiwe Selepe, Cemran Dansin, Daniel Msendami, and Boitumelo Radiopane have been dropped. In their place, Neo Rapoo, Thapelo Mokobodi, Simphiwe Masilela, Kabelo Kgositsile, and Yanela Mbuthuma have been included. The competitive starting lineup features Chaine, Sebelebele, Seema, Zulu, Rapoo, Mthiyane, Mokobodi, Masilela, Kgositsile, Appollis, and Mbuthuma. Substitutes include Dladla, Sibisi, Ndaba, Derbyshire, Dansin, Selepe, Nemtajela, Ngwato, and Radiopane. The team still faces injury concerns, with Mohau Nkota, Ghampani Lungu, Evidence Makgopa, and Thalente Mbatha remaining unavailable for the clash. However, the squad has received a boost with academy product Bheki Mabuza returning permanently from Marumo Gallants and training with the team. Club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi could also make a return after missing the last three matches, while Mbatha and Makgopa continue their recovery.

La Cure Waves, under head coach Jerome Thomas, arrive in Soweto with confidence, buoyed by their resolute defensive performance in the first leg. Thomas acknowledged the immense challenge ahead: "It’s football, and anything can happen. We realise it will be extremely difficult. We are up against an African giant playing on home turf, in a stadium that holds thousands of fans." The Mauritian side will need to maintain their discipline, absorb the anticipated early pressure, and effectively capitalize on any opportunities that arise to pull off a major upset. A scoring draw, for instance, would be enough for them to advance on the away goals rule.