Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro is hoping to make life as uncomfortable as possible for Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League clash at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM:
The Buccaneers are looking to bounce back from their first Betway Premiership defeat of the season after Stellenbosch came away from Soweto with a narrow 1-0 win on Sunday, December 1.
It was the first time that Riveiro's side had dropped points in the league and only the second occasion they'd been beaten at home following the 3-2 loss to Magesi in the opening round of the Carling Knockout on October 19.
Pirates kicked off their Group C campaign with a massive 2-1 win over CR Belouizdad in Algiers on November 26 which saw youngster Mohau Nkota impress once more after he scored a first-half brace.
Riveiro acknowledges the tough task awaiting his players this weekend as they prepare to face the record 12-time African champions for the first time since 2015, but he wants to turn the Orlando Stadium into a fortress for any team visiting South Africa from the continent.
The Red Eagles also made a winning start in the group and led the way on goal difference after running out convincing 4-2 victors over Stade d'Abidjan in Cairo.
Marcel Koller's side are unbeaten in all competitions this term, although they dropped points in each of their last two Egyptian Premier League games following draws against Al Ittihad (1-1) and National Bank of Egypt (0-0).
The Cairo giants have a formidable record in Africa's elite club competition as they're undefeated in their last 25 matches since losing 5-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns on 11 March 2023.
WHAT WAS SAID:
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro
'"I think it is still early to speculate, but obviously Al Ahly is going to be the favourite team whichever group they are in.
"It is our first experience together as a group in the Champions League stage, facing tough opponents. We are trying to go game by game, we are facing Al Ahly next in our game at home.
"We are going to make sure that Orlando Stadium is not an easy place for anybody in this group."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Orlando Pirates - Relebohile Mofokeng has kicked on after his breakout season in 2023-24, registering at least a goal and an assist in each competition except the Carling Knockout this term. The 20-year-old winger played a starring role alongside fellow Bucs youth product Nkota, setting him up to score both goals against CR Belouizdad on matchday 1. He's now contributed four goals and seven assists in 17 appearances for the Sea Robbers.
Al Ahly - Kahraba has gotten off to a slow start domestically after failing to find the back of the net in three league outings for the Egyptian champions, but proved he can still be a threat after bagging a brace against Stade d'Abidjan last time out. The 30-year-old striker was the club's second highest scorer in the competition last season behind Hussein El Shahat (5) with four goals and will be hoping for another productive campaign on the continent.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Matches - 6
Pirates wins - 3
Al Ahly wins - 1
Draws - 2