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The FNB stadium pitch condition and facilities have got the Pyramids players excited ahead of their crunch CAF Champions League first leg semi-final against Orlando Pirates this evening (18:00).
The Calabash has hosted many important matches this season, but it’s the first time in four years they will be hosting a Champions League semifinal, since Kaizer Chiefs played Wydad Casablanca there in 2021.
Speaking to the media, just after their last training session at the match venue last night, Veteran Pyramids striker Dodo Elgabas is raving about the pitch.
''The pitch is very nice, the stadium is fantastic. It's a stadium that holds great history, a world cup final was hosted there. It will be nice to play in a stadium like this. The best result for us is always a win, but we know that it is a two game fixture. We will try and do our best and we know we have another game in Cairo next week. We hope that with the two-match results we can qualify for the final,'' said Elgabas.
An away goal is like gold in CAF competitions, and today’s game is no exception. It’s clear from Elgabas that this is one of their primary targets, with the second leg scheduled for Cairo next Friday.
''You know in Africa, an away goal is important. We will play our game, we know Orlando is a very good team. I think the fans will enjoy a very good game tomorrow,'' added Elgabas.
Elgabas, a Newcastle United youth product and with experience in Belgian and French leagues, says their Croatian-born coach Krunoslav JurÄić has also warned them about Pirates’ dangermen, players who have made it possible that the Buccaneers remain the only unbeaten team in the competition today.
''For sure the coach told us our specific players who are key players in the team, but what we have noted is that they play as a collective. Yes the coach has analysed them, but it is not my job to say,'' he expressed.
As the first team to win the Champions League in the Southern African region back in 1995, Pirates have always been a popular football team on the continent.
Nigerian-born flying winger Sadiq Awujoola, who models his game on former Brazilian national team captain Neymar, shared his respect for Pirates.
