MC Alger v Orlando Pirates
Venue: Ali La Pointe Stadium (Douera)
Time: 7 pm (Tuesday)
The Bucs will make another trip to North Africa after winning 2-1 in Algiers against Belouizdad and in Cairo against defending champions Al Ahly in the group stage when they travelled to that region.
The only team not to taste a defeat in the group stage alongside FAR Rabat of Morocco, Orlando Pirates’ wins in Algeria and Egypt make them serious contenders for the title, albeit the group stage and the knockout stage are poles apart.
Jose Riveiro’s Pirates have been playing so well and are one of the best teams on the continent. Evidence Makgopa and Deon Hotto are two experienced forwards Riveiro will look up to for inspiration. Talented youngster Mafokeng Relebohile has been a thorn in the flesh of all his opponents and is expected to once again dazzle in North Africa.
Nkosinathi Sibisi, who played Bafana Bafana’s two games in March’s International break, is due to lead the Bucs from the back.
Algerian side MC Alger seems to have turned the corner after being able to deal with the regular inconsistencies that initially crippled their season. The Algerians have won seven, drawn two and lost once in their last 10 games. MC Alger beat Yanga and TP Mazembe at home and lost to Al-Hilal Oumdurman in the group stages.
They are seven points ahead of Belouizdad, who sits in second place in the Algeria Ligue 1 after 20 games. The Algerians can concentrate 100% on the CAF Champions League because they are in a very good position in the domestic league.
Tunisian coach Khaled Ben Yahia, who has been at the helm of the Algerian side, has promised to attack Orlando Pirates, although they will be extra careful.
Akram Bouras, Mohamed Halaimia and Naidji Zakaria are top-notch players who can expose any defence on any day.
Head-2-Head
These two teams have never met in any competition on the continent and are set to battle for the first time in Algeria.
Predictions
MC Alger 1-1 Orlando Pirates
