Cape Town - Orlando Pirates defender Rooi Mahamutsa praised his team-mates for their gallant performance against Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the semi-final of the 2015 CAF Confederations Cup.
The Sowetan giants came back from two goals down to win the match in emphatic fashion, crushing the Red Devils 4-3 in front of a shell shocked crowd at the Suez Stadium.
Mahamutsa, who was captain on the night, said he was “really proud” of his resilient team-mates, in a match where the Buccaneers had their backs against the wall for most parts of the first-half.
“Tonight was all about pride!,” said Mahamutsa on the Orlando Pirates website.
“It wasn’t an easy match by any means. They (Al Ahly) made it very difficult for us to get comfortable however we showed enough character in the second half and bounced back.
“It is hard to explain the process we went through but it’s as if we all were in tune with what we (as players) had to do.
“After all this match was more than just a match for us as players or the club; it was for the millions of supporters back home who have supported us through and through…it was also about the pride of the nation.
“As the only Southern African team in the competition, we knew we had the responsibility to represent our country the way it should be represented.”
The win over Al Ahly is now the third (against Al Ahly’s one) and probably the club’s most important victory against the Red Devils as it sees the Buccaneers qualify for the final of the 2015 CAF Confederations Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
“This is a huge achievement but the job is not complete as yet,” Mahamutsa continues.
“We will celebrate tonight’s victory but tomorrow is back to work.
"First we have to focus on the Telkom Knockout Cup clash against University of Pretoria and then the final.”
Eric Tinkler’s side will face Tunisia outfit Etoile du Sahel in a two-legged final tie in November with the date to be confirmed.
Etoile defeated Zamalek, also from Egypt, 5-4 over two legs.