Milutin Sredojevic: Orlando Pirates want to kick-start the Caf Champions League in the best possible way

The Sea Robbers coach eyes nothing less than a win when Bucs tackle the Seychelles outfit in the Caf Champions League preliminary round

Orlando Pirates make a long-awaited return to the Caf Champions League on Wednesday night and there is no one more excited than the club’s head coach Milutin Sredojevic.

Pirates are set to face off against the unknown Light Stars from the Seychelles, and all eyes will be on the Soweto giants who are currently on a run of 12 game without defeat in all competitions.

Bucs recently booked their place in the final of the Telkom Knockout, but Micho is adamant that continental football is still very important to the club.

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“We are hoping to kick-start the Champions League in the best possible way. This is a very important competition to us,” Sredojevic was quoted as saying by IOL.

“Special thanks to our supporters, they have been with us through thick and thin. We are inviting our supporters to come and help us kick-start our campaign in the Caf Champions League.

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“If we look behind ourselves, there are so many things to be proud of,” Sredojevic said.

Meanwhile, Sredojevic will be counting on his Zambian duo, who look to be hitting their stride as the season goes on.

Justin Shonga was recently the hero in the Soweto Derby scoring a late winner, and Micho is counting on his hunger to take them over the line going forward.

“Shonga and (Augustine) Mulenga are coming from a setback as Zambia failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in succession,” Micho explained.

“From such a setback, the best football answer is to bounce back. That’s what we are looking for,” he added.

“The help of Mulenga to Shonga for that winning goal is the best possible way to bounce back. We are happy to have him, and he is working very hard (Shonga),” he continued.

“I think now all those who attacked him after missing so many chances, and the penalty last time (in the Derby) l have seen that after all the stones of missing, the sunshine will come for him and the sunshine came when he scored that goal,” the Serbian mentor expressed.