Former Chiefs and Pirates Coach Muhsin Ertugral Backs Sundowns To Seal CAF Glory and Pirates To Clinch Title

Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral backs Mamelodi Sundowns to get the job done against AS FAR during the second leg of the CAF Champions League final in Morocco on Sunday. 

Moreover, Ertugral believes Pirates will find a way to get a goal this coming Saturday to win the Betway Premiership title.

Sundowns Head To Morocco

Mamelodi Sundowns beat AS FAR 1-0 during the opening leg of the CAF Champions League final at a packed Loftus Versveld Stadium on Sunday.

Aubrey Modiba executed a set piece to perfection in the 37th minute of the encounter, helping Sundowns take the lead and secure the all-important victory through a free-kick.

This week, Sundowns will head to Morocco with the hopes of getting the job done and getting their second-ever CAF Champions League title.

Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs coach Ertugral believes that Sundowns were unlucky not to convert more goals during the first leg and backs them to bring the African title to South Africa.

“I watched the game very closely (on Sunday). They were really very unlucky. But I think that to win the final of the Champions League, that's not easy. It’s a very difficult battle, and I think they're going to make it,” Ertugral told SportsBoom.co.za.

“With North African teams, we notice sometimes what they do when they're leading, it's very difficult to get a goal against them." 

“Sundowns have a strong team, and this is a big chance for them to win (the Champions League). I'm very much sure that Sundowns will be crowned champions and get the second star. Good luck to them.”

The second leg of the CAF Champions League final is set to get underway at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday, with kickoff set for 21:00 SAST.

Pirates League Title Chances

Over the weekend, Orlando Pirates missed a golden opportunity to secure the Betway Premiership title a week before the final round of fixtures when they played Durban City to a goalless draw in Soweto on Saturday.

Ertugral reiterated that there are no easy tasks in the Betway Premiership, especially against Durban City, a team that is currently placed eighth on the standings.

This coming week, Pirates will travel to Mbombela Stadium to take on 15th placed Orbit College, a side that is fighting to stay in the country’s top-flight league.

Ertugral believes the Buccaneers can get over the line, but emphasised that it will be yet another tough battle for them as Orbit College will most likely sit back and look to defend like Durban City did last week.

“These are not easy tasks. From the outside, it can look much easier than when you’re on the field. The boys are on the field, they are under pressure to deliver, and you expect that one goal to happen, but in the end, it's very difficult,” Ertugral said.

“But I wouldn't go for the boys, I mean, they did their best, and success doesn't come by luck. The entire season, the team has performed, in my opinion, very well. In the last week (of the league), they should win it." 

“Obviously, it's also going to be tough because there is another team that’s facing the (relegation) battle down there. But I think in the end success is never by luck, it has to be deserved,” he added.

Ertugral added that Pirates’ attacking nature and the fact that they have flawless, quick transition, make it difficult for them to score goals against teams who will park the bus in defence.

However, the 66-year-old remains unshaken in his belief that Pirates will have a trick up their sleeve to win the match and the league.

“They are really very quick in transition and are very effective on their one-on-one. So, obviously, they will have difficulties against teams that are going to sit back and just counter,” he added. 

“Then they have more ball position, and that's where actually the problem with Pirates starts. This is a very quick transition team that can punish you on the wings one-on-one. But I think in the end they are going to make it." 

“And for South African football, it's also very good that after so many years there (will likely be a) different champion. I wish Pirates good luck, too.”

Ertugral on Ouaddou

Ertugral sang current Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s praises, citing that the Moroccan has shown his brilliance by turning Pirates into an exciting team to watch for the fans around the country.

“I think this season, the way the team played was exciting. You could see from the coach who came in, he changed, I think, the playing pattern,” said Ertugral.

“I think they have a fantastic technical squad. They know exactly what to do and how to do things, and I'm sure that they have analysed their opponents. But in the end, the opponent will also be sitting back and won't play open football." 

“So, it's going to be another challenge. I believe that knowing the reality that the technical team has done everything, the boys will actually be fired up.”

The Orlando Pirates vs Orbit College fixture is set to get underway on Saturday at 3 pm SAS.