Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro will hope to qualify for the knockout round of the CAF Champions League this weekend when the Buccaneers face an in-form Belouizdad outfit in Group C at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3pm (CAT, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

As it stands, Pirates occupy top spot in Group C after four matches played and could book their spot in the knockout round of the showpiece with a victory over their Algerian counterparts.

The Sea Robbers put themselves in a positive position to qualify for the next phase of the tournament after bagging a convincing 3-0 win against Stade d’Abidjan last time out.

Pirates are currently unbeaten in Africa this season, after recording two wins and two draws in their previous four outings.

Belouizdad, however, have been inconsistent in their CAF duties this season.

With two wins and two losses to their name so far in Group C, the Algerians head into their next tie sitting in third position, one point behind Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

⚫⚪ NEXT MATCH ☠

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🗓 12 January 2025
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WHAT WAS SAID

Following Pirates’ defeat to Cape Town City, Riveiro has now shifted his attention to the CAF Champions League where he hopes to have a strong selection of players to choose from.

“Now we have to put our minds into the Champions League game. Our obsession is to have as many players available as possible and we are doing a good job in that sense,” Riveiro said.

“Like I have explained many times, the schedule this season is a new space for all of us that we are learning to explore and to understand and so far so good, we cannot complain about that.”

Chabab Belouizdad's head coach Abdelkader Amrani recently expressed that gaining maximum points was at the forefront in their minds ahead of the Pirates clash this weekend.

"The real goal against Al Ahly was to get the three points, as staying in the race to qualify for the next round is more important than showing a reaction after the Cairo defeat."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando Pirates: Mohau Nkota – The tricky attacker netted a brace the last time the two teams met and will hope for more of the same this weekend. Along with the likes of Tshegofatso Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng, Nkota will pose numerous questions to the Belouizdad backline throughout the 90 minutes.

Belouizdad: Khanyisa Mayo – Mayo is perhaps the one Belouizdad player who is most familiar with Orlando Pirates, given his exploits in the PSL. Upon his return to South African soil, Mayo could thrive in a more familiar setting this weekend.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Matches - 1

Orlando Pirates wins - 1

Belouizdad wins - 0

Draw - 0