Orlando Pirates start their campaign to reclaim the African Champions League title against Lesotho’s Matlama at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru on Sunday.
Pirates made history when they became the only Southern Africa club to win the title in 1995 and caretaker Augusto Palacios is convinced they will do it again.
”Matlama are a tough side, I have been informed they have about six players doing duty for the Lesotho senior national team,” said Palacios.
”We have prepared ourselves thoroughly for the game and would like to promise the people of South Africa that we won’t let them down.
”We are going to Lesotho for nothing else less than the three points at stake, I believe their coach Lesley [Nosi] is also the assistant national coach of Lesotho,” added the former Bafana Bafana coach, who is also in charge of the Pirates development programme.
A spokesperson for Matlama Tsiu Monne warned the Buccaneers not to expect favours.
”The good thing for us about this game is that we have been following the South African football, we know almost everything about Pirates.
”They are one of the most supported clubs here in Lesotho but we are going to cause one of the biggest upsets in football on Sunday. There is no way Pirates will take home even a single point.”
Pirates qualified to compete in this tournament after winning the Castle Premiership title last season, while Matlama are the Lesotho Premier League champions. — Sapa