JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 25: Orlando Pirates coach Jose Luis Riveiro during the CAF Champions League, 1st preliminary round – leg 2 match between Orlando Pirates and Djabal Club at Orlando Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Orlando Pirates will face
their biggest test yet when the Betway Premiership campaign resumes, with logistical
challenges looming due to participation in the CAF Champions League group
stage.
Pirates’ perfect start will receive a litmus
test when the league schedule resumes after the FIFA break.
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More testing for them is
that so far, in the seven games won in the league, they are yet to come
up against a team that finished at least in the top five last term.
Bucs will now travel to
Algeria to face CR Belouizdad in their opening Champions League group
encounter on 26 November, and four days later will host Stellenbosch FC, who
finished third in 2023/24.
Although they will then come up against
Marumo Gallants in the league after Stellies, their energies to sustain early-season form will get another test when hosting Al Ahly in matchday two of the
group stage.
Jose Riveiro’s men will then have three days in-between, before coming up against Golden Arrows in the league, after which they
will board the plane to Ivory Coast to face Stade d’Abidjan in the third continental group clash.
The Soweto giants will also have another short
turnaround, as they will have three days prior to facing Sekhukhune
United),
one of the toughest opponents, who finished fourth last term.
In reality, they could have only one day to train in the country.
Out of their first seven games, Pirates have played four teams who finished in the bottom half of the table last season and their
real test against opposition who finished in the top half will come mingled with the stress and squeezed calendar due to the Champions League.
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Riveiro has admitted that this all will be a test of character for everyone at the club.
“The next two, three months it’s gonna be a
big test for us because we have to perform also in the continental space.
“And the team and the coach are going to be
tested, we’re preparing ourselves to be in a good level,” he coach said on 947’s MSW.
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