Orlando Pirates have a mountain to climb this weekend after their shock 3-0 loss to Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary qualifiers.
The Soweto giants will need a massive 4-0 turnaround at home to stay in the running for a spot in the group stages of Africa’s biggest club competition.
When it comes to surviving the punishing trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo, former goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs is the best man to ask.
MOENEEB JOSEPHS DESCRIBES PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
The legendary shot-stopper, who now works as a goalkeeper coach, once made the trip while he was assisting Benni McCarthy at AmaZulu FC during the 2019/20 CAF Champions League against TP Mazembe.
“I’m sure Pirates got bullied,” Josephs said on the Soccer Beat podcast. “Me and Benni [McCarthy] went there with AmaZulu to face TP Mazembe. We wre fighting with them in the tunnel, and while the game was on.
“They make it hell for you and I am sure our boys also faced that. They went through hell. Our people must understand, if you get a result there it feels like you have won the cup. That is how much problems they put you in,” the Orlando Pirates legend added.
“That is just how they are, they don’t change that. I think the boys were shell-shocked a bit. I think that is where the inexperience affected our team a little bit. Most of them have not played in that type of environment. That is the experience we lacked.”
Josephs concluded by expressing confidence that Amabhakabhaka have all the tools and talent needed to turn the result around at home.
HOW ORLANDO PIRATES LINED UP
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou had rang the changes, naming a mix of regulars and fringe players before the Sea Robbers went down 3-0.
Starting XI: Sipho Chaine (GK), Thabiso Lebitso, Deon Hotto, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sihle Nduli, Sipho Mbule, Masindi Nemtajela, Evidence Makgopa, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Tshepang Moremi.
Substitutes: Siyabonga Dladla, Lebone Seema, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Abdoulaye Mariko Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, Oswin Appollis, Tshegofatso Mabasa.
The second leg will be on Saturday at 15:00 at the Orlando Stadium.
Also read: Ex-Downs star on Pirates’ hot form: ‘People are bored with Sundowns’
