Pirates out to stun Esperance

Orlando Pirates will battle with Esperance de Tunis in the 2018/19 CAF Champions League Group B match at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 9:00 pm CAT.

The South African giants secured their first win in Group B when they beat Guineans champions Horoya AC 3-0 at home on match-day two earlier this month

The victory took the Buccaneers to the top of the group standings, but they are only ahead of second-placed Esperance on goal-difference.

Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has stressed the importance of winning at home as the 1995 Champions League winners look to advance to the knockout stages.

“We need to take advantage at home before going there because we are going into very cold conditions in Tunis," Sredojevic said on the CAF website.

"A win will certainly boost our chances in the group ahead of the return leg.”

Meanwhile, Tunisian giants Esperance also recorded their maiden victory in the group stage when they brushed aside Zimbabwean champions FC Platinum 2-0 at home earlier this month.

The defending champions find themselves on the Group B standings and they know that a win over Pirates will take them to the top of the table.

Esperance coach Mouine Chaabal feels that his side is on the right track as they look to defend their continental title.

"Securing the three points was our main objective in this second game. Our opponents posed no threat to us," Chaabani said.

"We were well prepared to handle their counter-attacks. We are on the right track with the four points we have so far."