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Palacious: Bucs don't fear anyone

Cape Town - Former Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios has pointed to the Buccaneers' depth and fearless approach as the secret to their rise in continental competitions.

Pirates last week progressed to their second continental final in less than two years after beating Egypt's Al Ahly 5-3 on aggregate to reach the CAF Confederation Cup final, the first time for a South African and Southern African club.

Just a year and eleven months ago Pirates lost 3-1, on aggregate, to Al Ahly in the more prestigious CAF Champions League final and 23 months later the Buccaneers have done it again, this time they will come up against Tunisia's Étoile du Sahel.

Palacios believes Pirates' depth and their fearless approach have been crucial to their success in these competitions.

"I think unlike the other teams in the country, Pirates invest serious interest in these competitions," Palacios told Vodacom Soccer.

"And this is paying off well for them as they've reached yet another milestone for them and I think this a good achievement for them.

"I believe that their depth and experience has been crucial to their quest this time around.

"Pirates have quality players and depth in every position. They've got two or more players for every position and this is what we've seen every week.

"Initially every club has got it marquee players and preferred starting players, but you've got to have roles for the guys on the sidelines too and make them feel a part of the whole thing.

"Without depth look at what is happening to Argentina and Barcelona.

"Look at the players that stood up and stepped into the plate when Manyisa [Oupa] got injured, Rooi [Mahamutsa] has been out until recently and Happy showed another side of him and stuck in at centre-back. Sangweni [Siyabonga] is out and look at Ayanda [Gcaba], Thamsanqa [Gabuza]. That has been key for them.

"Another thing is when people say look at Al Ahly, look at Zamalek, TP Mazembe and get scared, Pirates don't fear anyone.

"Pirates go to the field and play and they fear no Zamalek, Mazembe or Al Ahly. All these have been crucial in their CAF campaign."

The first of the two-legged tie takes place at Orlando Stadium on 21 November, with the return leg set to take place at Stade Olympique de Sousse eight days later.

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