After long time finally the CAF Champions League and Confedaration Cup will result tomorrow for the last 8.
At this point Teams that finished second from their groups they will play at home while the winners or top teams from each group will be away.
Tomorrow Mouloudia Club d’Alger from Algeria will be welcoming Orlando Pirates first before they will fly into South Africa on 9th April for second leg.
Mouloudia Club d’Alger head coach Khaled Ben Yahia has given his players instructions about the importance of this fixture.
He said “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.
“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!”
The coach emphasized the importance of mental strength, determination, and efficiency in front of goal, recognizing that opportunities will be limited against a strong Pirates side.
Yahia said “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.”
Towards his conclusion Ben Yahia emphasized that he want to see the soldiers through out of the game if they want to progress.
He said “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.”
The Algerian giants, who currently sit atop their domestic league with just one defeat, will host the Buccaneers at 21:00 (SAST) in what promises to be a tightly contested battle.
MC Alger advanced to the knockout stages as runners-up from Group A, collecting nine points from six matches.
Their defensive solidity has been impressive, conceding only two goals throughout the group phase, but they have struggled in attack, netting just four times.
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
