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Johannesburg - Despite conceding a threatening away goal to the Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel at the weekend, Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele believes that the Buccaneers are still in contention to clinch their second continental title.
Pirates gave up their first-half lead in the dying minutes of the game to draw 1-1 against Sahel in the CAF Confederations Cup final first-leg clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The inform Thamsanqa Gabuza gave Pirates the lead with a thunderous shot in the 36th minute before the Red Devils were given a lifeline when their stand-in captain Amar Jemal equalised after the ball found him unmarked inside the box with three minutes remaining.
Jele, 28, said that the Buccaneers will emulate the 1995 CAF Champions league winning squad that went to their second-leg in Abidjan and win the title despite conceding two away goals in their 2-2 stalemate against Asec Abidjan.
“I believe that all is not lost yet.” Jele told reporters in a post-match press conference.
“I know everyone might be thinking that we have lost because of an away goal that we have conceded.
“The class of 1995 experienced the same thing after conceding two away goals against Asec Abidjan.
“But they went there and score a crucial one goal and went on to win the title because they believed that they will make it, so same goes to us it’s all about the belief we have in ourselves.
“I believe that we are still in it and we can still win it there (In Tunisia).”
Pirates will travel to Tunisia for the return leg on Sunday, where they will need to score to keep their title hopes alive.
Kick-off is at 20:30.
