Orlando Pirates heavily backed to ease into CAF Champions League next round

Orlando Pirates are strong favourites to progress from the first qualifying round of the CAF Champions League when they face Mauritius champions La Cure Waves on Saturday.

The Bucs welcome La Cure Waves to Orlando Amstel Arena for the second leg of their tie, which begins at 15h00. The South African side are expected to complete the job comfortably after being placed among the clubs widely tipped to advance.

Pirates have history on their side when facing opposition from Mauritius. In 2006, they scored four goals against AS Port-Louis 2000 at Ellis Park during a campaign that eventually took them to the semi-finals.

Bookmakers are offering limited returns on a Pirates victory, with the average price standing at 1,3 and continuing to fall. A surprise win for La Cure Waves, meanwhile, is priced in double figures and is moving towards 12.

Other teams expected to progress from the opening qualifying round include Petro de Luanda, Pyramids, Al Hilal, Zamalek, Young Africans, Club Africain, TP Mazembe, MC Alger, Stade Malien and Simba.

La Cure Waves prepared for difficult test

La Cure Waves coach Jerome Thomas accepts that the semi-professional status of his squad leaves them at a significant disadvantage against Pirates.

His players have jobs away from football, while their average monthly income from the sport is R5000.

“Orlando Pirates is a professional club, and we can’t compare with La Cure, an amateur club,” Thomas said.

“Orlando Pirates is many levels higher than La Cure Waves.

“We are here to learn and take good experiences so we can do better for the future.

“Some of our players have played in international matches and some of them have more experience.

“We have come here with the players ready to give all their capacity and we will go all out for the match.

“We will take the second leg seriously and give it our all.

“We expect to give a good performance, and anything can happen in football, so why not a good result here?”

Thomas also revealed that some members of his squad had struggled with the altitude since arriving, although the team had been given time to adjust.

“Regarding the altitude, we have had some issues with some players finding it difficult to breathe but we have had two days for adaptation,” he said.

“The match will be very difficult, and I have learnt that it is very difficult to play in this stadium because of the supporters and the atmosphere.

“But I think my players are ready to play a good match and why not a good result after that?”