Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Jomo Sono says that Orlando Pirates are under no pressure going into their CAF Champions League tie against AC Leopards in Dolisie, Congo on Saturday.
Orlando Pirates legend Sono believes that despite coming off a loss in their last Champions League match against Zamalek, the Buccaneers are still in control of their own destiny as they still lead the standings in Group A, ahead of Al-Ahly, on goal difference.
"They (Pirates) are on a high.
"They’ll win.
"They are not under pressure and they are on top of the log," Sono told Soccer Laduma's website.
"The one who’s under pressure is the one who wants to go to the top and, you know, it’s more difficult to climb a mountain."
Pirates will fly via chartered jet directly to Dolisie, 400km from the capital Brazzaville, on Friday and plan to depart the central African state early on Sunday morning.
Any one of the four teams in Group A can still qualify for the semi-finals, which are awarded to the top two teams in each of the groups.
AC Leopards are currently in third place in the standings, three points behind Pirates, and will need to win in order to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
A win for Pirates will all but guarantee their place into the next round, that is if Al-Ahly simply avoid defeat to bitter rivals Zamalek in the group's other match also scheduled for this weekend.
However, Pirates will have to make do without the services of Happy Jele, Thabo Matlaba and Andile Jali, who will all be serving their respective suspensions, while Collins Mbesuma remains injured.
Kickoff for Saturday's encounter is at 15:30.
Orlando Pirates legend Sono believes that despite coming off a loss in their last Champions League match against Zamalek, the Buccaneers are still in control of their own destiny as they still lead the standings in Group A, ahead of Al-Ahly, on goal difference.
"They (Pirates) are on a high.
"They’ll win.
"They are not under pressure and they are on top of the log," Sono told Soccer Laduma's website.
"The one who’s under pressure is the one who wants to go to the top and, you know, it’s more difficult to climb a mountain."
Pirates will fly via chartered jet directly to Dolisie, 400km from the capital Brazzaville, on Friday and plan to depart the central African state early on Sunday morning.
Any one of the four teams in Group A can still qualify for the semi-finals, which are awarded to the top two teams in each of the groups.
AC Leopards are currently in third place in the standings, three points behind Pirates, and will need to win in order to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
A win for Pirates will all but guarantee their place into the next round, that is if Al-Ahly simply avoid defeat to bitter rivals Zamalek in the group's other match also scheduled for this weekend.
However, Pirates will have to make do without the services of Happy Jele, Thabo Matlaba and Andile Jali, who will all be serving their respective suspensions, while Collins Mbesuma remains injured.
Kickoff for Saturday's encounter is at 15:30.
