Former English Premier League and French Ligue 1 star praises Orlando Pirates ahead of Caf Champions League clash against CR Belouizdad - 'They play good football'

Former Leicester City and now Algeria's CR Belouizdad striker Islam Slimani has lauded Orlando Pirates ahead of their Champions League clash. 

Belouizdad will kick start their group stage journey by hosting the Sea Robbers, who have been in impressive form since the start of the season. 

Slimani has heaped praise on coach Jose Riveiro's team ahead of the encounter. 

"It will be a difficult match against a good team that plays well with the ball. Our objective will be to start these qualifications well and take the three points," Slimani said.

"We know that the African Champions League is the most competitive competition in Africa. 

"There are the best teams in Africa, so it is different from the championships or cups that I have played in. I think that Africa is different, the conditions are different."

The former AS Monaco forward has also spoken about how he plans to adapt in the Champions League campaign as it will be his first appearance in the Caf-Inter-club football. 

"The team already has a little experience in this African Cup, which will help me, because it is the first time that I will play in the African Champions League. I think that it will be of a good level and that we have to be there," he added. 

"I think that a striker always depends on the team. When there are good results, the team is doing well, the striker is doing well too. I am a team player, the most important thing for me is the team. 

"That is to say that if we win it means that when I am doing well, we win everyone is happy. When we are not doing well it is normal that people will say that I am not doing well, that I am not adapting, or that there are problems," he continued. 

"But I think that recently, we have come back well, there are results and may God make us continue like this."

Pirates and Belouizdad have been pitted in Group C along with 12-time Caf Champions League winners Al Ahly and Ivorian club Stade d'Abidjan. 

The Soweto giants have been boosted with the return of some key players from injury including Tapelo Xoki, Deano Van Rooyen, and Makhehlene Makhaula amongst others ahead of the game. 

On the other hand, Slimani, 36, brings a wealth of experience to the Algerian Ligue 1 side having played for several top European teams including Belgium's Anderlecht and France's Olympique Lyon. 

The match between Belouizdad and Pirates will take place at the 5 July 1962 Stadium at 21h00 on Tuesday. 

It will be interesting to see who will take charge of the Group C table with Al Ahly facing Stade d'Abidjan on the same day.