Orlando Pirates coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has described his side Caf Champions League group as competitive but confident of reaching the last eight.
The one time African champions were drawn in group A that has reigning champions Esperance of Tunisia, Guinea’s Horoya and first timers, Platinum FC of Zimbabwe.
“We knew depending on the seeding situation, we would get two strong sides and one playable team,” said Micho in a brief interview with Kawowo Sports.
“In that regard, Orlando Pirates is satisfied that we are in a group with defending champions Esperance,” added the Serb who took a swipe at how the Tunisians won the competition.
“They are playable team remembering that in the semi-final against Primeiro de Agosto, how they went through needed support from elsewhere and they later won the Caf Champions League.
The former SC Villa and Uganda Cranes tactician however believes they will be eager to replicate similar form after playing at the Club World Cup but Pirates ready for the challenge.
“After playing in the club world cup, they need to go to the drawing board, how they will compete we shall see but we want to challenge them.
On Guinea’s Horoya who reached the quarter finals at the expense of Sundowns, the Serb expects a tough challenge as they will be eager to improve even further.
“They are a team of the best players in West Africa playing in Guinea with players from Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria and other countries surrounding Guinea – top class players and well-funded team and with highest ambition after reaching quarter finals would want to go further. We respect that but in the same moment, we have our plans.
Platinum Stars
Micho admits such sides with no big names are hard to play as they have points to prove
“They are very good competitive team with no big names but hard to play against such teams that have no big names but have a point to prove.
Nevertheless, the 1995 African champions have enough to go past the group according to Micho.
“In that regard, very competitive group but we have the players with talent and quality and I believe we shall get results that will take us to the quarter finals of the Caf Champions League.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| Lobi Stars (Nigeria) | FC Platinum (Zimbabwe) | TP Mazembe (DR Congo) | Al Ahly SC (Egypt) |
| Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) | Horoya AC (Guinea) | Club Africain (Tunisia) | Simba SC (Tanzania) |
| ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) | Esperance (Tunisia) | CS Constantine (Algeria) | JS Saoura (Algeria) |
| Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) | Orlando Pirates (South Africa) | Ismaily SC (Egypt) | AS Vita Club (DR Congo) |
