Orlando Pirates return to the CAF Champions League and will host Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana in the second leg preliminary round at Orlando Stadium this evening.
Previewing the must-win clash, Pirates captain Innocent Maela addressed journalists during a media day held by the Soweto giants, and explained the importance of the clash.
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Maela said reaching the group stages will mean a lot to the whole team is terms of fighting for African honours.
"We know the most important thing is that we have to win this game. Whether we score in the first ten minutes or late in the game that doesn't really matter. What matters is to have a positive result in this game. We know if we win this game we will go to the group stages and the group stages will mean everything to us. It will give us the chance to play against the best teams in Africa," Maela said to journalists.
The Bafana Bafana defender said that they know that it won't be easy playing against Galaxy but they are determined to do well and qualify for the group stages.
"We are ready for that and that's what we are fighting for," he said.
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Orlando Pirates are one of the only two South African teams to have to have won the Champions League, with Bucs taking honours in 1995, while Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned champions in 2016.
Pirates did however, reach the final in 2013, but lost 3-1 on aggregate to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
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