Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa says they’ll do their best to ensure that the team qualifies for the CAF Champions League group stage this season.
Pirates were the first South African team to win the Champions League in 1995, and they were followed by Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016.
However, the Sea Robbers have struggled in their campaigns in recent years, with their best run coming in 2013, where they lost to Al Ahly in the two-legged final.
Jose Riveiro is hoping that they can mark their 30th anniversary since winning the title by doing well in the competition this season.
It’s been a case of so far, so good. The Buccaneers started their campaign on a high note, beating Disciples FC 4-0 on aggregate in the first preliminary round.
They’ll face Jwaneng Galaxy in the second and last round of the group stage qualifiers, starting with the away leg at Botswana National Stadium tomorrow (4pm kick-off) before playing the return leg next Saturday at home.
Pirates have a bone to pick with Galaxy, given that they knocked them out of the same competition in the same round last season.
Mabasa, who was the league’s top goalscorer last season (16), said they’ll ensure that they put out all the stops to return to the group stage this season.
“Going to the game we are very motivated because as I have always said before, this club deserves to play in the Champions League every season,” Mabasa said.
“Not only playing there, but to compete, and that is exactly what we are going out there to do this coming weekend. It will be a difficult encounter, but we are well-prepared for it.”
Mabasa is right – Galaxy won’t be a walk in the park. South African-born coach Morena Ramoreboli knows the Sea Robbers like the back of his hand.
He steered them to victory over Pirates last season, and as such, he still knows what it will take for them to cause another upset.
Speaking to various media outlets a few days ago, Ramoreboli said his knowledge of some of the Pirates players will come in handy when the two teams square off yet again.
Ramoreboli coached Mabasa, Sipho Chaine and Kabelo Dlamini in Bloemfontein Celtic’s youth ranks, and Monnapule Saleng during Bafana Bafana’s run in the 2021 Cosafa Cup.
Mabasa is looking forward to reuniting with Ramoreboli, but he has warned his former mentor to expect a different player this time around.
“He is a coach I know quite well, and he knows me as a player,” Mabasa said ahead of the clash.
“But this is a completely different phase ... I have grown as a player. There are a lot more tactics involved in this game.
“The game won’t be the way that he expects it to be. You can study all you want, but what happens on the day is entirely up to the players themselves and tactics on the day.
“So, we are not worried about that (Ramoreboli’s knowledge of the players). We will go out there and give it our all.”
A win for Pirates over will also give them a huge morale boost ahead of the start of their Premiership campaign against Chippa United at Orlando Stadium next Wednesday (7.30pm).