Orlando Pirates seek Champions League turnaround against La Cure Waves

Orlando Pirates must find the goals they could not score in Mauritius when they host La Cure Waves in the CAF Champions League preliminary-round second leg at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.

The Buccaneers were held to a goalless draw in the opening match last weekend, leaving them with a straightforward task on home soil: score while keeping their opponents out. Their hopes of progressing rest on maintaining the attacking form that has made them one of the most dangerous sides in South African football.

Pirates have scored 12 goals in the Betway Premiership and six in the MTN8 this season, while conceding only twice in all competitions. That record has helped keep them in the domestic title race, with the club currently second in the table on 13 points, three behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

They also have a game in hand on Sundowns and have already booked their place in the MTN8 final, where the two sides will meet on 10 October.

The importance of Saturday’s match is heightened by Pirates’ disappointment in last season’s Champions League campaign. They failed to reach the group stage after losing to St Eloi Lupopo in a penalty shootout, and supporters will expect the team to show greater cutting edge in this tie.

Before travelling to Mauritius, Pirates had found the net consistently. Their final preparation match ended in a 4-0 victory over newcomers Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium, suggesting that the stalemate against La Cure Waves was an interruption rather than a wider attacking problem.

Yanela Mbuthuma has emerged as a potential long-term answer at centre-forward. He answered his critics in the two matches before the trip, scoring twice and supplying two assists across back-to-back games.

That form helped earn Mbuthuma a place in the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. He is also in contention for next month’s international friendly against Egypt in Cairo.

Pirates have another promising option in Boitumelo Radiopane, who has begun to make an impression since returning from his loan spell. Radiopane had previously stood out in the club’s development structures, and the forward is now starting to look increasingly comfortable at senior level.

Both strikers will be expected to rediscover their scoring touch in front of a home crowd. Pirates will also benefit from returning to natural grass after playing the first leg on an artificial surface in Mauritius. They will do so in familiar surroundings and with the backing of “The Ghost”, the name given to their supporters.

Defensively, Pirates have given themselves a strong platform. Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine and the back four have conceded only two goals in nine matches in all competitions, and they will need to maintain that discipline against La Cure Waves.

Under the away-goals rule, a goal for the visitors would make the tie considerably more difficult for Pirates. Chaine and his defenders must therefore remain alert while the attacking players look to break down what was a low defensive block in the first leg.

The combination of a resilient defence and an efficient attack was central to Pirates’ domestic title and trophy success last season. They will need the same balance again if they are to complete their progression in the Champions League on Saturday.