Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro - Photo Pirates Media.
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro believes African champions Al Ahly will top their group in the CAF Champions League qualifiers.
The South African club marked their return to the Champions League group stage with a vital victory, winning 2-1 away to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in their thrilling Group C opener at Stade 5 de Juillet on Tuesday.
The Soweto Giants benefitted from a clinical first-half performance which gave them a handy lead ahead of a spirited fight back from the hosts in the second period. It is a win that places them second in their group, tied on points with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Asked to give his prediction for the group, Riveiro said as quoted by idiskitimes: “We’re having our first experience together as a group in the Champions League group stage, dealing with opponents of a really high level.
“So we just want to go game by game, getting three points [in Algiers] is a massive achievement. If I’m not wrong, Al Ahly, Yanga couldn’t make it last season to get three points here, as we did, so we have to put this game in high estimation with a very young, inexperienced team, performing the way we did it, it’s something to be proud of.
“Where will be finish in the group stage? Who knows… we going game by game, our next game at home is Al Ahly, we will try to prepare for the game as well possible and make sure that Orlando is not an easy place for anyone in this group.”
Al Ahly kicked off their campaign with a 4-2 win against Stade d’Abijan and are topping the pile followed by Pirates. The two sides will face off in the next group match at Orlando Stadium.
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