Former Orlando Pirates head coach Roger De Sa has reacted to the Buccaneers’ shock 3-0 defeat against Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Champions League Second Round Preliminary qualifiers.
The Sea Robbers suffered defeat away in the DR Congo and will need to score four goals without reply if they are to reach the group stages of the competition.
Before Sunday’s defeat, the Buccaneers won eight straight matches across all competitions and were favourites going into the CAF Champions League clash.
Orlando Pirates under pressure going into the second leg
De Sa admitted that he didn’t expect his former club to go down 3-0 but emphasised the unpredictability of African football.
“Of course, I am surprised,” he said as per FARPost.
“I think to go there is always difficult, but to lose 3-0 was a bit of a shock because Pirates have shown signs of a club that can win the title, and even at home. There are a lot of signs of improvement. I was shocked.”
“But then again, it’s football, isn’t it? Possibly, they were chasing a result. Once you go 1-0 down, you are chasing a result, you are away from home, it can happen.”
De Sa felt Orlando Pirates could come back, given their strength in the attacking department. Under Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Buccaneers have only struggled to score twice in 14 matches they played this season.
A 3-0 win against St-Eloi Lupopo will force the match into penalties, while a 4-0 win will see the Sea Robbers match on into the group stages for the second successive season.
“Pirates have the attacking team that can score many, many goals. Let’s see how it goes,” De Sa concluded.
Orlando Pirates host the return leg on Saturday afternoon at the Orlando Stadium.