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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates midfielder Mpho Makola says playing away on the continent can be an intimidating experience.
Makola spoke to Sport24 about the different fans he has encountered in his Pirates career while playing in the continental competitions.
“In some countries it is a bit intimidating, like when we played Al Ahly, the stadium was so full and all you could see was red,” said Makola.
“When you look around, you try and see if there is a bunch of supporters wearing black and white but you can’t see anything.
“Even when we played TP Mazembe, those people can sing, that stadium was full and all we could hear was them chanting.
“With experience, you don’t let it get to your head and you don’t worry about it that much then it’s okay.
“It’s their culture, they are not just supporters they are fans, they love their team and they love their football, it is a bit like in Europe.”
South African teams also use song to combat the nerves and psyche themselves up for the game, Makola says.
“We sing in the bus on the way to the stadium, even if they sing louder than us we continue singing.
Pirates play CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in a CAF Confederation Cup clash on Sunday at 21:15 (SA time).
