The Sea Robbers have been urged to silence their old rivals in response to their defeat in continental assignment.
- Pirates suffered Caf CL exit vs Pyramids
- After Sekhukhune they play Chiefs back-to-back
- Bucs challenged to silence Amakhosi
WHAT HAPPENED?
Orlando Pirates were determined to win the Caf Champions League after a good run in the ongoing edition.
The Premier Soccer League giants reached the semi-final without tasting defeat from the preliminaries.
Having won their last continental crown in 1995 and reached the final in 2013, it was an opportunity to make the fans happy.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Pyramids defied the odds to inflict the first loss against Bucs in the last four hurdle.
They won at home 3-2 after a goalless draw in the first leg played in Mzansi.
Former Buccaneers attacker Thulasizwe Mbuyane insists Bucs players surprised many by playing a good game in Cairo.
He has blamed the defense for the defeat, insisting they could have done better.
WHAT MBUYANE SAID
"I'm disappointed with the final result, but it was a give-and-take situation," he said as quoted by SNL24.
"I didn't expect Friday's line-up to perform so well in Egypt.
"I believe our substitutes were the only aspect that let us down. Apart from that, the boys played very well. It's unfortunate we couldn't convert our opportunities.
"We gave away too much possession. After taking the lead, I thought we were home and dry, and we should have maintained that lead," Mbuyane continued.
"When you're playing away and leading 2-1, that's what you need to do.
"Defensively, we were not comfortable. We weren't the Pirates team I knew. Our defence did not perform at its best."
AND WHAT IS MORE
Mbuyane is convinced Bucs can beat Kaizer Chiefs in the forthcoming Soweto derbies.
"Moving forward, the players need to keep their heads up and give their all in the upcoming Soweto Derby match. They have what it takes to beat Kaizer Chiefs.
"This is a game that can prove their potential. This is their chance to shine," Mbuyane concluded.
WHAT NEXT?
Pirates have the Premier Soccer League and the Nedbank Cup to battle for.
On Wednesday, they play Sekhukhune United before facing Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday in the PSL game.
The next meeting with Chiefs will be in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10, to fight for the Nedbank Cup
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