Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi insists the Buccaneers are not in the final yet despite scoring two first leg away goals in the win over Al Ahli SC in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final.
First-half goals from Innocent Maela and Goodman Mosele sealed an impressive 2-0 win in Benghazi on Sunday afternoon which sees them favourites to advance to the final but Ncikazi says there’s still no room for complacency against the side who won Group A ahead of Pyramids and CS Sfaxien.
“The game is not over, it’s half-time, we’re only leading, when we go back home [to Orlando Stadium] they can do the same thing. We’ll treat the game very seriously but it’s important to understand the dynamics of African football, away goals are important,” Ncikazi said.
“We’ll treat the game like it’s 0-0 and respect them because they are a good team and try to proceed into the next round. But we’re not going to change anything by doing less, we’re just [going to] prepare for a very good team.”
When asked by Libyan media about the recent poor form of both clubs in the domestic league, the former Golden Arrows mentor said the two competitions require different preparations and reiterated they will show Ahli respect when they come to Orlando Stadium next week.
“The CAF competition is different from the league, we’re also in the same situation where how we perform in the league and how we perform in CAF competitions [is different], so we don’t want to be surprised – we’re just going to prepare normally, prepare for a good team, they have threats of direct play, they have got those players,” he added.
“So one we’re going to prepare for the Champions of Libya and prepare as much with all the respect to them.”
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