Mouloudia Club d’Alger coach Khaled Ben Yahia has sent a rallying message to his players ahead of their crucial CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Orlando Pirates.
The Algerian giants, who currently top their domestic league with just one defeat, host the Buccaneers in the first leg at home at 21:00 (SAST) on Tuesday.
Alger qualified as runners-up from Group A with nine points from six games, winning two, drawing three and losing just one. They scored just four goals but also only conceded two so far.
With everyone expecting a tight encounter, Ben Yahia rallied his troops, saying they must secure a good result in the first leg ahead of the return fixture in South Africa.
“Gentlemen, this match is not like any other. It’s not a simple league match where you can make up for it the following week. It’s a Champions League quarter-final. If you want to make history for Mouloudia, it’s now,” he said, as per Competition.
“Get it into your heads that a draw or a defeat would put us in great difficulty before the return to South Africa. We must win this match, whatever the cost!
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“You must be at 200%, from the first minute to the final whistle. It’s not a question of talent, it’s a question of determination, mental strength, and the will to win.
“We can’t waste our chances! In the Champions League, if we want to go far, we have to be realistic. When an opportunity presents itself, we have to seize it, we have to score!
“There won’t be ten chances, there might be three or four. So, I want every shot, every header, every dangerous situation to be fully exploited. Be killers in front of goal.
“I don’t want to see any player lower their heads, any player back down from a duel. You are warriors; you must fight for every ball, press, win back, and harass the opponent. I want eleven soldiers on the pitch, ready to give their all for Mouloudia. We must play as if our lives depended on it.”
Pirates are one of two sides who finished the CAFCL group stage unbeaten – the other being ASFAR – winning four of their clashes, while drawing two. The Buccaneers netted 10 goals and conceded just four in their six Group C games.
