Orlando Pirates' Mbatha confident unbeaten Caf Champions League run in Cairo will boost them ahead of Pyramids showdown - 'We’ve went to Cairo, and we’ve been able to get the result'

Orlando Pirates survived a tense encounter against Pyramids in the first leg of the Caf Champions League semi-final. The visitors had two goals ruled out by VAR, which could have turned the tie in their favour. The Buccaneers were left frustrated after missing several clear-cut chances at home. Coach Jose Riveiro expressed his disappointment with the finishing.

Despite the missed opportunities, the Soweto giants remain unbeaten in this season’s competition. That unbeaten record gives them a vital edge heading into the return leg in Cairo. Speaking to the club's media, midfielder Thalente Mbatha acknowledged the missed chances but praised their strong away performances. He believes those results will be crucial as they aim to stun Pyramids in the decisive clash.

“I believe for us that wasn’t really our day, we got the chances that we could’ve convert,” Mbatha told OP TV as reported by iDiski Times.

“So, since we’ve been playing away and we’ve been winning, so we take that as an advantage for us. Coz we’ve went to Cairo, and we’ve been able to get the result.

“So, for us it’s to focus and continue with the mentality that we have coz we’ve been unbeaten in the CAF Champions League, so for us it’s to go back to Cairo and do the same – apply the same mentality.

“For them, they were to man-mark us and catch us on the counter coz the right wing wasn’t tracking back with our left-back, so I believe that was their own mentality because they playing away. They were trying to secure the one point that they already have.

“So, for us was to get the advantage and score. I believe that if we got one, we were able to get more goals.”

Orlando Pirates have built a strong reputation on the road in this season’s Caf campaign. They claimed impressive away wins against CR Belouizdad, Al Ahly, and MC Alger. That track record shows they are more than capable of getting results in North Africa. With a place in the final on the line, those performances will inspire confidence in the squad.

Bucs are scheduled to face Magesi in the league as they try to close the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns. However, that fixture might be postponed due to their continental commitment. The focus now shifts to preparing for a tough away leg in Egypt. Victory there could seal a historic spot in the final.