Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Tebogo Moloi is dreaming of an all SA final in teh CAF Champions League between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Tebogo Moloi beleives Orlando Pirates have what it takes to win their second CAF Champions League crown — if they can get past Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the semi-finals, the first leg of which kicks off this weekend.
Fresh off a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, the Buccaneers are riding a wave of momentum. José Riveiro and his squad now turn their attention to a crucial Champions League showdown over the next fortnight, with the first encounter at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 6pm).
With Mamelodi Sundowns the other South African team involved in the semi-finals — they play Al Ahly — Moloi expects the two clubs to do well, and perhaps even set up an all-South African final, despite a glaring disadvantage.
“I’m very disappointed that CAF has again given us the first leg at home,” Moloi told the media at a SuperSportBet event at FNB Stadium on Tuesday. “It seems like all the North African sides always get the second leg ... but now, since the stars are shining on us, I hope that the star that is shining on us can shine the way it shone in 1995.
“I have said before that I wish one day we can have two South African teams in the final of the Champions League, so that we can send the message to the Northern Hemisphere that we do have football in the Southern Hemisphere.”
From left, managing director of SuperSportBet Grant Greeff, Kaizer Chiefs head of communications Vina Maphosa and Orlando Pirates media manager Thandi Merafe during the SuperSportBet media launch at the FNB stadium, ahead of the much anticipating Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates next month. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
The Buccaneers have had a relatively young squad for the greater part of Riveiro’s tenure. His willingness to give younger talent from the Diski Challenge a platform to showcase their abilities has, nonetheless, paid dividends for the Spanish coach, with the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Thabiso Sesane, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi thriving under his leadership.
Moloi has been impressed with the growth of the entire squad and believes they could be one of the best Pirates sides yet.
“I have always said that this is a special group, and I emphasise that our players need to understand the word ‘special’,” said Moloi. “They are different from our treble-and double-treble-winning teams, and the team that reached the finals of the Champions League (in 2013) and the final of the Confederation Cup (in 2022).
“These are young boys. They are still trying to find their feet, but they are bringing trophies and, for me, with them understanding what it takes to wear the Pirates shirt and to be where they are, I am actually not surprised.
“I expected them to perform the way they are performing, and I believe they can go all the way.”
The former Pirates midfielder believes Riveiro’s departure was unexpected, but the team will be able to move forward once he leaves.
“It was a shock to me,” Moloi revealed. “Let’s all be happy and give our coach the best send-off that has ever been given in South Africa. Riveiro will be the first coach to be given a farewell.
“We have a coach who has unified everything. I have been with the club since I was five years old. Jomo (Sono) left the club, but the ship kept sailing, and in 1973 that entire generation had to retire — but the ship kept on sailing.
“For the coach to be leaving, the ship will continue to sail, even though it took everyone by surprise and it is not something we all expected. We thought he would renew, as he was deliberating whether to do so or move on.
“He has unified everybody, and it will be very important to support the games that are left and give him the best send-off.”
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