Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi says they want to finish on top of the group as they prepare to take on Al Ittihad in their final CAF Confederations Cup game at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
Pirates sit on 12 points in Group B, and have already secured a quarter-final spot. But if Al Ittihad, who won 3-2 in Libya in match week two, get the victory, they could move top.
A win or a draw will see Pirates hold onto top spot, and secure a guaranteed second leg at home in the quarter-finals, and Ncikazi said they will playing for the win for that reason.
“We’ve got our own destiny to fulfill, we just have to play this match to win,” Ncikazi said in the pre-match press conference.
“We have to finish on top of the group. It’s important because we don’t want to start playing the two-legged quarterfinal at home, we want to start away, at least you are in better control when you come back home.
“So it’s important to play this match, and get a result from it.”
When by asked by iDiski Times about playing at home against an opponent who they lost to earlier in the group, Ncikazi said they be looking to turn that result around, especially in front of their home supporters.
“They are a very good side, a well-coached side, but I thought we had a very good game, except that we conceded three goals,” Ncikazi replied.
“We’re playing at home, we’re playing at home in front of supporters after a long period. It will be important to send the right statement that we really appreciate the supporters coming back.
“So one, we must play to win, except also for us trying to finish on top of the group, which is very important based on the dynamics that I mentioned earlier.”
