STEEP MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB FOR PIRATES

Nelson Mandela once famously said: “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” Orlando Pirates are now faced with this dreaded ordeal, in what many already deem as the heaviest task the former PSL champions will endure in their CAF Champions League campaign.

Being drawn into Group A, comprised of heavyweight outfits such as Zamalek and Al Ahly, is probably an outcome that Orlando Pirates had been hoping to avoid on Tuesday, but it has happened.

The draw that took place in Cairo on Tuesday pitted the Buccaneers against the two Egyptian giants, with AC Leopard of Congo completing the group.

Zamalek and Al Ahly do indeed stand out in the group, having won no less than ten champions league title between them. The former has lifted the African trophy five times, while the latter has won the prestigious title seven times, exuding the Egyptian teams’ unsurpassed dominance of the African tournament. Al Ahly is the defending champions.

Pirates last won the champions league title 17 years ago, in 1996; which remains their only continental title to date. Leopards, on the other hand, have never won the coveted title, as this is their maiden appearance in the competition.

Domestically, Pirates were dealt a huge blow after they failed to defend their PSL title, which is now in the clutches of their derby rivals, Kaizer Chiefs. This was ultimately decided by the 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundown last weekend, leaving it all to Amakhosi to wrap the league up.

In stark contrast to the PSL campaign, the Buccaneers have valiantly surged in the champions league up until this stage. They knocked the five time champions, TP Mazembe, out of this year’s competition, despite the hostile on-field treatment rendered by the hosts in the second leg that took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Buccaneers have risen above it all and now find themselves faced with the colossal task of overcoming stiffer competition in the current advanced stage of the tournament.

Zamalek and Al Ahly are undoubtedly the respective favourites to go on and lift the continental title, as they have proven their continental competition mettle over the decades; and this year is no different.

Much like Mazembe, these two teams’ respective trail of accolades in the continental context far outshine Pirates single feat on the continental front. However, Pirates thirst for more continental glory may serve to be vital morale booster and a win against Zamalek or Al Ahly will definitely re-launch their African giant stature.

Pirates have proven that they can rise above travesties when the occasion demands. Nonetheless, can the beat the seemingly indomitable Egyptians?

The prize money for the competition is $1 500 000 for the winners, $1 000 000 for second place, $700 000 each for third and fourth place. Third place in groups get $500 000 each, fourth in group get $400 000 each.