Johannesburg- Following their MTN8 disappointing loss to Platinum Stars last week, Orlando Pirates will be hoping to revive their form and return to winning ways when they face Esperance of Tunisia in the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
Kick-off is at 18:00
The Buccaneers holds the "underdog" status heading to this much anticipated encounter as the Tunisian giants are favourites to go all the way to the Final but history between the two sides favours the Happy People.
The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 4-1 thumping in favour of the Sea robbers back in 1999 in the Vodacom Challenge match played at the Kings Park stadium in Durban.
Goals for Pirates came from Dennis Lota, Steve Lekoelea, Brendon Silent and the Tunisian international defender Zaidi’s own goal respectively.
The former Pirates and Gabon international defender Guy-Roger Nzeng’s own goal was a consolation to the North African giants.
The big boost for Roger De Sa’s charges will be the return of midfielder, Sifiso Myeni, from injury.
The skillfull winger picked up a knock during the pre-match warm up session ahead of last week’s final against Stars and missed the encounter.
However, it remains to be seen if captain Lucky Lekgwathi will feature in Saturday's encounter after it was reported that he missed Thursday' s training due to a death crisis in his family.
Kick-off is at 18:00
The Buccaneers holds the "underdog" status heading to this much anticipated encounter as the Tunisian giants are favourites to go all the way to the Final but history between the two sides favours the Happy People.
The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 4-1 thumping in favour of the Sea robbers back in 1999 in the Vodacom Challenge match played at the Kings Park stadium in Durban.
Goals for Pirates came from Dennis Lota, Steve Lekoelea, Brendon Silent and the Tunisian international defender Zaidi’s own goal respectively.
The former Pirates and Gabon international defender Guy-Roger Nzeng’s own goal was a consolation to the North African giants.
The big boost for Roger De Sa’s charges will be the return of midfielder, Sifiso Myeni, from injury.
The skillfull winger picked up a knock during the pre-match warm up session ahead of last week’s final against Stars and missed the encounter.
However, it remains to be seen if captain Lucky Lekgwathi will feature in Saturday's encounter after it was reported that he missed Thursday' s training due to a death crisis in his family.