Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro insists that a match against Djabal FC of Comoros will not be a walkover despite having assembled a stronger team and a goal advantage.
Bucs host the Comoran outfit in the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds second-leg encounter at the Orlando Stadium on Friday evening. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
The Sea Robbers produced a narrow 1-0 victory in their previous meeting, thanks to a late goal from on-form striker Zakhele Lepasa.
It goes without saying that Jose Riveiro has a big and strong squad. Even so, the Spaniard is not getting carried away.
“I can bet that it is not going to be easy, especially after my experience a few days ago in the first leg,” Jose Riveiro said during a media briefing at the Rand Stadium on Thursday.
“My feeling is that it’s only minus one [one-goal advantage]. We have to go out there and compete as we will be playing at home, so nothing will change.
“The opponents will probably be feeling the same way, but we will not worry too much about them and the magnitude of the competition.”
Bucs captain Innocent Maela shared the same sentiment, saying the squad is looking forward to getting the job done and quickly shifting the focus to the DStv Premiership encounter against Cape Town City on Tuesday.
“We know we have a busy schedule, but I think we prepared very well. The squad is more than capable of dealing with the hectic schedule,” said Maela.
Bucs held their off-season camp in Spain, where they played against strong opposition, and a lot is expected from the Sea Robbers this season.
The Buccaneers lost their opening league fixture when they were nailed 1-0 by Stellenbosch FC in the Mother City early in August.
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