Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Roger de Sa, who guided Pirates to the 2013 Champions League final, looked at the team’s start with a different lens to most.
FORMER Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa knows all about doing well in the CAF Champions League, and is well placed to weigh in on the team’s progress so far in the competition.
Pirates returned to continental football last weekend, playing to a 0-0 draw with CNaPS Sport away in neutral Mauritius in the first preliminary round.
Pirates were the away side in that neutral venue, but expectations were still high for them to return home with the win; they were favourites considering that the Madagascar-based outfit is mostly made up of semi-professional players.
But speaking to the media on Wednesday, De Sa, who guided Pirates to the 2013 Champions League final, looked at the team’s start with a different lens to most.
“In these two-legged games, I think it’s vitally important not to lose the first game – that would be the number one priority,” De Sa said.
“I think not conceding is also important. The fact that you didn’t lose and know the team better, makes it, I wouldn’t say easier, but you know what you want in the second leg.
With Pirates having only started their domestic season two weeks ago, beating SuperSport United 3-1 in the MTN8 quarter-finals, they are still far from running like a well-oiled machine.
“The other challenge in this competition is that you play it early, and your preparations are not as good as they should be, compared to these other teams. It does happen. I remember that we also struggled at Pirates in the first games. But we managed to get through, even though it’s not easy.”
Pirates only started their domestic season two weeks ago. Despite still lacking match fitness, they should be able to see off the islanders in the second leg at Orlando Stadium on Friday (7.30pm kick-off) and reach the second round.
De Sa believes that Pirates are on the right track as they’ve mastered the art of what they need to do to progress in the competition.
“The fact that they played to a draw, and now they are coming home, Orlando can be difficult against Pirates,” De Sa said. “I think they are on the right track – I think they’ll make it (and reach the group stage at least).
“I think it’s important that the home supporters make the stadium a fortress, and let the other teams feel what it’s like to come to Orlando and try to beat Pirates.”
It might be early days in the season, but this Pirates team reminds De Sa of the set-up that he had 11 years ago.
The Pirates team of 2013, who lost to Al Ahly in the Champions League final, had Tlou Segolela, 25, and Andile Jali, 23, who were fast and controlled the spine, respectively.
De Sa’s successor Jose Riveiro has also built his team on speed and youth, with Relebohile Mofokeng, 19, fast on the flanks, while Thalente Mbatha, 24, is fast becoming the kingpin.
“We had quite a young team, with exciting and fast players. We mostly used the young players,” De Sa recalled.
“We based our game in Africa on speed, especially when we played the north African teams. We knew that we won’t match them for physicality and structure.
“I think the Pirates of today is similar. They have that energy to run at opponents and play at a high tempo.”
De Sa believes that Pirates shouldn’t only exhaust their energies and resources on continental football, but across all competitions this season.
They’ve already mastered the art of winning domestic competitions, having won four in the last two seasons, and are hot on the heels of Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
“I think it’s unfair to choose. They can’t look at one competition and not the other. A club like Pirates should try to win every competition they play in,” De Sa added.
