Pirates Optimistic about Breaking Three-Year Champions League Drought

On Saturday, Orlando Pirates were defeated 1-0 by Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium, halting their impressive run of five victories from their last six matches in all competitions.

The Buccaneers remain hopeful of a return to the CAF Champions League despite the setback, with head coach Jose Riveiro set to return to the bench for the next match after completing his two-match suspension. The team will be aiming for improvement in their results in line with the plans to finish in a position to qualify for the Champions League.

It has been three seasons since Pirates last qualified for the prestigious continental competition, with the team having been involved in the 2013 edition of the competition in which they lost to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the final. In the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, Pirates participated in the Confederation Cup.

The Soweto giants will play Swallows in their next match on Friday, with the club looking for improvement this season after finishing the previous campaign in a disappointing 6th place under Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids.