Orlando Pirates head coach, Eric Tinkler, is remaining positive ahead of the team's CAF Confederation Cup game against Al Ahly this weekend, despite the unavailability of some of his key players.
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Pirates' captain, Oupa Manyisa, as well as defenders Happy Jele and Siyabonga Sangweni, are some of the players that have been ruled out for the game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Manyisa is injured while Jele and Sangweni have been suspended. The team's number one goalkeeper, Brighton Mhlongo, is also unavailable to help Pirates since picking up an injury in August.
In addition, Bucs confirmed that midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo is doubtful for the game due to an injury.
While Tinkler is concerned about injuries and suspensions, the former Bafana Bafana midfielder is remaining optimistic leading up to the game against the Egyptian giants.
"We are going into this match with a positive frame of mind. It is vitally important for us to win the home leg and also ensure that we do not concede a goal in order to have something to protect for the second leg.
"It is true that we will be without some of our key players who were in fact instrumental in helping the club reach the 2013 CAF Champions League final. Their experience will definitely be missed but we cannot do anything about that.
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"We have a good squad of players who are all capable and it will be up to them to step up and do the job for us," Tinkler told Pirates' official website.
