African Stars coach Guther confident Orlando Pirates tie can still be turned around

African Stars coach Gerald Guther insists his side’s CAF Champions League second preliminary-round tie against Orlando Pirates remains open despite suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first leg.

The Namibian champions were beaten at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana, on Saturday, with Pirates claiming a narrow victory and what the source described as a valuable away goal.

The second leg will take place at Orlando Amstel Arena, where Orlando Pirates will return to familiar surroundings and a better-quality playing surface. Guther, however, believes African Stars still have a realistic opportunity to overturn the deficit.

“Of course you know, we are not down and out, we still have another game to go, another 90 minutes and we’re definitely planning to go out there and give it everything,” Guther said.

The coach said his players had shown they could compete with leading teams from across the continent and expected that experience to motivate them in the return fixture.

“We were rubbing shoulders with some of the best players on the continent and I think we did well so I think it will be quite a bit of energy for us to feed off and come next week Friday, we are gonna leave everything on the field to make sure that we try and get what we deserve.”

African Stars included two South African players in their starting line-up against Pirates: defender Liyema Dopholo and midfielder Liam April.

Guther was pleased with the contributions of both players but believes they are capable of producing even more in the second meeting between the teams.

“They are very important members of the squad, good boys, very disciplined, on and off the field. I think that they did very well today but I know that there is more, I know they can bring more and I’m pretty sure after this particular match that will be something to see from the boys,” the coach added.

Dopholo and April were among the African Stars players who performed well during a competitive first-leg encounter. Guther said their professionalism had made them important members of the squad as the team prepares for the decisive match.

Another player to catch the coach’s eye was midfielder Lawrence Doeseb. He caused Orlando Pirates problems during the first half and was particularly effective when African Stars had possession.

But Guther revealed that Doeseb was not fully fit for the match after suffering from flu a week earlier.

Despite that physical setback and the first-leg loss, the coach maintained that African Stars would approach the return fixture with the intention of giving everything in their attempt to progress in the CAF Champions League.