Lane backs Orlando Pirates to ease past La Cure Waves in Champions League return leg

Former Orlando Pirates defender Gavin Lane expects the South African club to overcome La Cure Waves comfortably and advance in the CAF Champions League after being held to a goalless draw in Mauritius.

The Buccaneers return to the Orlando Stadium on Saturday for the second leg of their qualifier, knowing victory will be required to secure their place in the next round.

Pirates were unable to break down La Cure Waves in the first meeting, but Lane believes the result represents a positive outcome given the challenges of playing away in Africa against an unfamiliar opponent.

“Well I’ve never played in that part of the world, but surely there was a certain level of hostility and unfamiliarity as well with not just the environment, but the team they played as well,” Lane told IOL Sport.

“In Africa, a draw is a good result away from home and now returning to their home ground, I believe they will win that game comfortably.”

The Soweto club will also be aiming to avoid another early exit from the competition. Pirates were eliminated in the second preliminary round last season after a dramatic two-legged tie against Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo.

Lane, who won the 1995 CAF Champions League with Orlando Pirates, remains confident that home advantage can help his former side progress despite significant changes to the squad.

Pirates lost several important players during the recent transfer window, including Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi and Sipho Mbule, who all secured moves away from the club.

Those departures have been followed by the arrival of a number of new players, many of whom are less familiar, as Orlando Pirates look to strengthen their squad and maintain their ambitions.

Lane acknowledged that making extensive changes can unsettle a team, but said the new signings could ultimately improve the side if they approach their opportunity correctly.

“We had a lot of players that came in during our time back then as well from Jomo Cosmos I remember the likes of Mark Fish coming in and that improved us and pushed us even more,” he said.

“So it shouldn’t be a problem; there might be a change in positions and player roles, but that’s all a part of football at a club like Pirates.”

Orlando Pirates therefore go into the return fixture with the tie still finely balanced, but Lane expects the club’s experience and home setting to prove decisive against La Cure Waves.