Riveiro optimistic Pirates can triumph in Abidjan

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro views their CAF Champions League clash with Stade d'Abidjan at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday, as an opportunity to put another three points on the board.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM:

The Buccaneers are unbeaten in Group C and remain level with Al Ahly on four points in second place after playing out to a 0-0 draw with the defending champions in Soweto on December 7.

Riveiro's side collected maximum points from their journey to Algiers 11 days earlier when they beat CR Belouizdad 2-1 in their opening match of the group stages and the Spanish tactician is optimistic they can do the same in Abidjan.

However, Riveiro doesn't expect Les Yeyes to just roll over for Pirates on the western coast of Africa, having held out for 71 minutes before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to the Reds on home soil last time out.

Stade d'Abidjan have yet to register a single point in the group after losing 4-2 to the Red Eagles on November 26, although the silver lining is that they managed to score twice in Cairo, proving they can be a threat.

Victory over the Sea Robbers would keep their continental dream alive at the halfway mark of the group stages as CR Belouizdad are just three points clear of them in third position ahead of a daunting trip to Al Ahly on December 22.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro

"It's an away game. They (Stade d'Abidjan) didn't get a good result in the first game in Cairo (against Al Ahly), but you can see the type of team they are, we managed to see that they are... what can I say? Quite rigid, tactically.

"And for sure an away game is going to be tough, it's going to be difficult but I'm optimistic. I'm looking at the fixture as an opportunity for us to fight for three points.

"Just imagine if we do it (the three points)? To find ourselves in the third game of the group stage with those points (seven), it will be nice. But we know we have to work hard to make it possible."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Stade d'Abidjan - Roger Assale is vastly experienced, having plied his trade in Switzerland, Spain, France and Germany before returning home in September. The 31-year-old striker won both the CAF Champions League (2015) and CAF Confederation Cup (2016) during his time at TP Mazembe and he was one of the players to get on the scoresheet against the Red Eagles.

Orlando Pirates - Monnapule Saleng Roger Assale has seen limited playing time this season due to the emergence of youngsters Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota, but he was given an opportunity against Al Ahly and was the Bucs' standout performer. It was the 26-year-old winger's first outing in the group stages after he made four appearances during the qualifiers, scoring the winner against Jwaneng Galaxy in the second round, second leg.