Orlando Pirates coach Micho Sredojevic has told the media in Tunisia, where the Buccaneers face Esperance in a CAF Champions League Group B clash, that the Soweto Derby was adequate preparation for their tie.
Pirates departed almost immediately following their 1-1 draw against rivals Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday at the FBN Stadium to catch a flight to North Africa for this afternoon’s all-important continental tie.
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Asked how ready his side was given what would have been an energy-sapping Absa Premiership encounter against their fiercest competitors, the Pirates coach said his men were confident on the back of coming from behind to share the spoils with Amakhosi at a sold-out venue.
“Playing in front of 90 000 people was for us great motivation,” the Bucs coach explained to the media. “It was a huge test for us in order to see how it will be in front of African champions. We regret that we are not going to play in front of any crowd because that would have brought energy not only to the home team but the away team as well. But small details will decide, and we want these small details to be on our side.”
CAF ordered Esperance to play two continental matches behind closed doors as punishment for their fans attacking the Al Ahly team bus in the return leg of the Champions League final in November last year.
