Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro says the re-scheduling of the league fixtures ahead of their CAF Champions League fixture against Al Ahly leaves them with no excuses to perform.
The Premier Soccer League has brought fixtures forward while their game against Marumo Gallants has been postponed in order to adequately prepare for the group stage games in Africa’s elite club competition.
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Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch, the other two South African clubs in the CAF inter-club competitions have the same arrangement with the league as they look to improve what was previously a gruelling fixture list for South African clubs competing in Africa.
“In this period, it’s a luxury to have four days, plus recovery, we have five days, to prepare for the game as good as possible, obviously if we look now at the next game, it’s going to be something else,” Riveiro said ahead of the game against the reigning champions who he previously cited as favourites to win their group.
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“We are going to be tested in a very high level and we will face the week with good attitude, and motivation, with the intention to offer a good performance on Saturday here against Al Ahly.
“Having those days with the possibility to rest, I think it’s giving an extra [chance] to make sure that there are no excuses, that on Saturday we can be at the level the competition requires and the [questions] opponent will ask.”
Pirates beat CR Belouizdad 2-1 in Algiers to open their Group C campaign, while Ahly eased past Stade d’Abidjan 4-2 in Cairo.
