Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has urged caution when it comes to declaring his team as favourites to win the CAF Champions League, despite their impressive 2-1 victory over reigning champions Al Ahly in Cairo on Saturday.
The win, which saw Pirates finish their group campaign undefeated, secured them a spot in the tournament's quarter-finals for the first time in over a decade.
For Pirates, this marks a significant achievement, having failed to make it past the group stages last season under Riveiro's guidance. However, despite the joy and satisfaction that came with the victory, the Spanish coach was quick to temper expectations, emphasising that the tournament is far from decided and that there is still much work to be done.
"Today was important for us, and we feel happy with today's match. I am happy with the level of the players, as there was a great deal of competitiveness from both Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly," Riveiro told journalists after the game.
Read: Mokwena On Guardiola Matchup: 'You Cannot Lose'
"I mentioned before about the importance of the Al Ahly match. I think it is still too early to judge the tournament champion."
Pirates secured 14 points in the group stage without a loss, and Riveiro acknowledged the significance of their success but cautioned against overhyping the result.
"We succeeded in obtaining 14 points and did not lose; it was important to win today," he said, highlighting the team's overall consistency in the group phase.
However, the coach was careful not to read too much into the win over the Egyptian giants, recognising that the tournament is far from won.
"We passed a difficult stage in the group stage, and we still have a more difficult stage in the quarter-finals, so it is difficult to judge the title holder," Riveiro added.
Read: McCarthy Emotional About Missing Chiefs Pirates Jobs
