Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro says progression in the CAF Champions League is their objective after they dropped two vital points in Ivory Coast.
Pirates were held to 1-1 draw by Stade d’Abidjan in their third match in Group but moved to the summit of the standings with five points.
- ALSO READ: Riveiro Reacts To Dropping Two Points In Abidjan
- Riveiro On Running The Same Race As Sundowns
Behind Pirates is Egyptian giants Al Ahly with just a sole point-difference while the latter has a game in hand and CR Belouizdad are third with three points from two games.
Riveiro reflected after the clash at stade Felix Houphouent-Boigny at the number of points teams needed in previous campaigns to progress and backed his side to still be in it despite the result.
“The objective of every team involved in the group stage is to go to the next round, to have the opportunity to play in the quarterfinals,” said Riveiro.
“So, we try to take every game like an opportunity to get the maximum points understanding that we are in the Champions League and it’s not always possible especially when you play away from home.
Join the iDiski Times WhatsApp Channel for all latest SA football news directly to your phone.
“So that’s the objective, we don’t know how many points are going to give us the right to go to the next round, to go to the quarterfinals.
“One year ago, teams with eight [points] make it to go to the next round and other teams need 10 or 11 and that’s where we are. We still have to play two more games at home. We have to travel to Cairo and to play Al Ahly there. Still nine points to play for and like I said it’s not about being happy or being sad. This is about points.
“The games are about goals; the qualification is about points. So far, we have five we are leading the group Ahly and CRB [Belouizdad] need to play one more game and we are in the right way.”
