Orlando Pirates right-back Thabiso Monyane admits the CAF Champions League has taken some adjusting to but they are proving their worth in the competition.
Pirates have picked up four points in their opening two Group C games with a 2-1 win in Algeria over CR Belouizdad and a 0-0 draw with champions Al Ahly at home.
The defensive performance against the record 11-time champions earned them plaudits which is something the academy product admits they have worked tirelessly on.
“It wasn’t easy [against Al Ahly] especially for the teams to play at 3 in Orlando, but you know we managed to fight as a team, it goes to show that we’re not only strong going forward but defensively too,” Monyane said.
“It’s something we have been working on and you know in times like this, in a tournament like this, you are going to be put on the back foot and I feel this was a tough test, a good test and we’re looking forward to doing more as we go forward.”
Monyane is part of the squad that heads to Ivory Coast to face Stade d’Abidjan, who have zero points after defeats to Al Ahly and the Algerian giants.
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“It’s been a good start for us in CAF, we’re looking forward to doing our best and as we take things one game at a time, and just take things as they come,” he added.
“It’s not easy, playing teams from different countries, you get to feel different league, different leagues, intensities, the atmospheres as well, it’s not easy, it’s when you need to adapt as footballers and as a team, work as a team unite and do your best.”
The two sides meet on Saturday at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny (18h00).
