×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

No break for Pirates

Sport
JOHANNESBURG — The curtain might have come down on the 2012/13 football season, but Orlando Pirates’ commitments in the Caf Champions League means there is little rest for the players.

JOHANNESBURG — The curtain might have come down on the 2012/13 football season, but Orlando Pirates’ commitments in the Caf Champions League means there is little rest for the players.

Kick Off

Pirates’ spokesperson Mickey Modisane told KickOff.com yesterday that the Bucs will continue training this week, while coach Roger De Sa and the club management hold a series of meetings to come up with a pre-season schedule.

This training schedule will also cater for the team’s participation in the Caf Champions League group stage matches, which begin in July.

“The 2012/13 season might be over, but the players will remain in training,” Modisane told KickOff.com.

“We will be holding meetings and we will release a schedule for the players on Thursday. It is important for the players to maintain their fitness levels because the competition in the group stages of the Champions League will be tougher,” added Modisane.

De Sa — who has made it clear he intends to strengthen his squad with new players — will be expected to present his wish list to club chairman Irvin Khoza during the meetings.

Pirates, who defeated DRC giants TP Mazembe 3-2 on aggregate to qualify for the group stages of the CAF Champions League, have been drawn in Group A with Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Zamalek and FC Leopards from Congo-Brazzaville.

The Bucs will be at home in their first match against FC Leopards on the weekend of 19 to 21 July with the top two teams in the group advancing to the semi-finals of the competition.