What now for the bucs

The champions league campaign for Orlando Pirates has taken the turn for the worst;having surrenderd first place on top of group A(dubbed the group of death) to Egyption giants Al Ahly ;after consectutive losses against group rivals Zamalek and AC Leopards - the buccaneers are sitting in a precarious position-having to at the least draw against Al Ahly to ensure safe passage into the semi-finals of the CAF champions, and a shot at continental glory for the second time.Some avid Pirates fans ( myself included) expect an under-par perfomance by the reigning African champions Al Ahly ;having secured a semi-final spot against fierce domestic rivals Zamalek,but Al Ahly are definately not the undesputed champions of Africa by living loose ends,the Cairo giants will come to Orlando with one objective; to win,a win for means they avoid a semi-final clash with group B toppers Esperance,this would also mean a much more favourable opponent for Al Ahly ;That opponent being Cotton Sport of Ivory Coast;who they met in the 2008 semi-finals,and ran out 4-2 winners on aggregate.Orlando Pirates have their work cut out for them,but the boys should take courage from the fact that they managed to convincingly thrash AL Ahly at home 3-0; which was definately not expected, on that day the players showed up and performed for the Orlando Pirates badge; they earned the respect of many Orlando Pirates fans and rivals(KAIZER CHIEFS ,only to name a few);they can't the boys do that again at home - in front of their adoring fans; who will be cheering at every tackle won,every save made and definately when Pirates scores.The set back we suffered this week- of Andile Jali getting a shoulder injury should not be considered just that... 'set back' , but should be seen as a test for the depth of players Pirates has ,Andile Jali will be replaced be a capable player;Masalesa aka 'Viera',; which shows the abundance of talent at Orlando Pirates,so as a die-hard Pirate myself; i rest assured that we will reach the semi-finals of the Caf champions league.The quest for the second star lives on!