With Orlando Pirates set to get their CAF Champions League campaign underway, the assignment ahead has been described as the start of ‘long and difficult journey’ by the club’s captain and long-serving player, Happy Jele.
The Buccaneers are set to make their long-awaited return to the Champions League with a match against Light Stars of Seychelles tonight (Wednesday) at the Orlando Stadium.
Read: Bucs’ Retired Jersey Numbers Return For CAF, Star Handed 10
Jele has called on The Ghost to go to the stadium in their numbers to support the team in what will be one of the club's important fixtures this season.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of the supporters. The role they play as the 12th man in the stands is the fuel that keeps us going during the match. We have been blessed to play in packed venues of late with this weekend’s semi-final being the pinnacle. For us as players, to see them at the stadium, see them in the stands and to feel a positive energy is priceless and we thank them for that,” Jele told Pirates’ official website.
Read: Botswana Referee For Bucs’ CAF CL Match
“When we play against Light Stars on Wednesday it will be the start of a long and difficult journey. Personally speaking, I was there when we reached the 2013 Final, I remember how close we came and how much we wanted to clinch the Champions League trophy especially for our supporters. Now that we have been given another chance it is key that we start things off on the right foot and build the momentum from there,” added Jele.
“From just looking at our next four fixtures we have a tough task ahead of us and as such it is key that we have our supporters there to help us pull through and it all starts on Wednesday,” concluded the Pirates captain.
Tonight’s match has been scheduled to start at 19h30.