JOHANNESBURG — After beating Zanaco FC on Saturday, Orlando Pirates will now have another mountain to climb before they reach the group stages of the Caf Champions League.
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The Bucaneers have been drawn against the 2009 and 2010 African champions TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Congolese outfit walloped Botswana side Mochudi Centre Chiefs 6–0 on Sunday in Congo, a result that automatically pits them for a battle against the South African treble champions who beat Zanaco 2-1.
Pirates skipper Lucky Lekgwathi welcomed the draw against the former African Champions, who in 2010 reached the finals of the Fifa Club World Cup, losing only in the final against European giants Inter Milan.
“You know, this is a good draw for us,” Lekgwathi said on the club website.
“When facing a team of this stature you automatically double your efforts in preparation for the encounter. We know what TP Mazembe are about and what they have achieved to date. We will respect them like we do all the opposition we face, but by no means will we be intimidated.
“They come here (to Johannesburg) first which is okay for us. They are beatable, just like all the teams in the competition. No team is unbeatable, so we will go into that match with that mentality and let’s hope things go well for us.
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“In big tournaments sometimes what counts is not so much how well you can play but how hungry one is to succeed. The group is focused in this tournament and we will definitely be prepared to fight against TP Mazembe,” he added.
