Andrew MuchineripiSoccer
The strength of South African club football will receive one of its most thorough examinations this weekend when champions Orlando Pirates and cup winners Jomo Cosmos visit North Africa.
Pirates are in war-torn Algeria for a crucial African Champions League second- round fixture against Union Sportive de la Medina d’Alger (USMA) while Cosmos tackle Al-Mansoura of Egypt in the Cup-winners Cup quarter-finals.
Visiting a country where more than 60 000 people have died since 1992 in a civil war triggered by the annulment of elections the opposition Islamic Salvation Front were poised to win can hardly be described as a pleasure. But that was the reality facing the Buccaneers this week as they flew to Algiers, a capital where the blood literally trickles down the streets as one car bomb after another exacts its toll.
The African Football Confederation (CAF) has consistently maintained that is safe to play in Algeria and there have been no incidents involving visiting national teams and clubs.
When Dragons Oueme from the tiny West African nation of Benin and, more recently, Supersport United, refused to fulfil fixtures in the former French colony because they feared for their safety, CAF disqualified them. Pirates’ managing director Irvin Khoza said he received assurances from CAF that the team would not be in danger, but this assurance carries a hollow ring as car bombers can strike anywhere.
If nerves within Pirates’ camp are somewhat frayed it would not be surprising given the dangerous destination, the fact that anything less than victory will be disastrous, and the absence of first-choice strikers Jerry Sikhosana and Joseph Ngake.
Zambian-born coach Ronald Mkhandawire must also do without close-season signings Simon Magagula, who is injured, and Gerald Raphahlela, whose wife died last week following a car accident. Pirates do boast the largest, most talented and most experienced squad in the Premier Soccer League and the tie against USMA will offer several reserves an opportunity to display their skills and strengths.
The Buccaneers were seeded to win Group A and perhaps this injected a false sense of optimism in a team that fully deserved to fall 2-1 against Angolan visitors Premiero de Agosto at largely deserted FNB Stadium two weeks ago. A usually watertight defence leaked alarmingly and Nigerian goalkeeper William Okpara, who went into the match boasting a record of nine clean sheets in 10 champions cup ties in South Africa, was partially responsible for both goals.
While Pirates were dropping three points, USMA gained only one after conceding an injury-time equaliser to Moroccan visitors Raja Casablanca in a disappointing , four- goal North African showdown. Veteran striker Adlane Hadj snatched both Algerian goals and raised his cup tally to seven. He often plays deep, and his speed on and off the ball promises nothing but trouble for Pirates. USMA are no world beaters, though, and the obvious discomfort of goalkeeper Laid Belgharbi when the ball is crossed high from the wings should be exploited by the Buccaneers.
Al-Mansoura finished third behind continental giants Al-Ahly and Zamalek in the Egyptian championship and have not conceded a goal in four Cup-winners Cup encounters.
They defeated 1989 winners Al-Merreikh of Sudan 3-0 and 1995 runners-up Julius Berger of Nigeria 2-0 on goal aggregate while Cosmos eliminated Eleven Men in Flight of Swaziland 6-0 and Dynamos of Zimbabwe 3-2. Cosmos obtained two video tapes of the Egyptians in action and assistant coach Lucky Stylianou said they were an impressive, physical team, but not as skilful as the South Africans.
North African clubs are traditionally disciplined, hard-working, defensively strong and, even when enjoying home advantage, love nothing better than to lull opponents forward and counterattack at breakneck speed.