Orlando Pirates debutant Christian Derbyshire says CAF Champions League dream kept him awake

Christian Derbyshire says the prospect of making his CAF Champions League debut for Orlando Pirates was so exciting that he sometimes struggled to sleep before the match.

The young defender made his first start for the Soweto club in their CAF Champions League First Preliminary Round first-leg tie against La Cure Waves at Port Louis on Sunday afternoon.

The match ended goalless, but the occasion represented a significant personal milestone for Derbyshire, who described the experience as the beginning of a new chapter in his career.

He said his anticipation began as soon as he was asked to prepare his travel documents for the trip.

“Right now we’re calling this the new chapter. Obviously in the past we’ve gotten close but not to the final point. But the group is, we’re strong on this, we really want this. Like I said, it’s the new chapter, we’re going to make this work,” Derbyshire said.

“I’m excited, since before the trip when I got asked to bring my passport I’ve been excited, sometimes I struggle to sleep about this. It’s every player’s dream to make a debut. I mean, to make a debut in the CAF also, it’s crazy, it’s big. So I’m excited, I’m excited.”

Derbyshire also reflected on the difficulties of playing away from home in continental competition, particularly when travelling outside South Africa.

“It’s never easy going away from home, especially leaving the country to play outside. It’s not easy,” he shared.

Despite the 0-0 draw, the Orlando Pirates defender felt his side had produced a strong performance and deserved credit for controlling the match. He said La Cure Waves defended deeply, while the Buccaneers were unable to convert their opportunities.

“I think we played well. We just never took our chances. I mean, we dominated the game. The other team just sat. But I think it was a good performance, just not the result we wanted. I feel. If this went the way last season went, it was going to be a bit of a different story. But I think at this point you got away from home. It’s going to be beneficial for us when we go back because we know how it is at home. It’s nothing I expected. I thought, ‘okay, we’re far’. Maybe we’ll get one or two. I don’t mean we had half of the stadium with us. So I think that was also a key role in how we played that motivated us, kept the score.”

Derbyshire makes an immediate impression

The point gives Orlando Pirates a result to build on before the return fixture, with Derbyshire highlighting the importance of the travelling support at Port Louis.

The centre-back has already shown an ability to contribute at important moments since beginning his career with the Buccaneers. He scored on his DStv Diski Challenge debut before finding the net again in the historic title-clinching victory against Mamelodi Sundowns.

His first appearance in the CAF Champions League therefore added another notable moment to an encouraging start with Orlando Pirates, even though the team could not find a winning goal in Mauritius.