Bucs can win Angola return match - Lane

ORLANDO Pirates legend Gavin Lane is predicting a bright future for the team in the African Champions League but warned them to stop underestimating the opposition.

Pirates leave for Angola on Thursday to meet Recreativo do Libolo for the return leg of their preliminary round clash. The Angolans go into the weekend's clash enjoying a 3-1 cushion after winning the first leg in Port Elizabeth two weeks ago. Bucs dominated the game but seemed to have left their scoring boots at home in addition to underestimating Recreativo.

"I think the biggest mistake Pirates made was to underestimate the Angolan team, otherwise they would have won the match easily," said Lane, who was part of the historic 1995 Pirates squad that won the Champions League title.

"Pirates players must believe in themselves, there is nothing impossible in life. An early goal or two will be crucial for Pirates.

"They have a great team of experienced players that I have no doubt will make the club and entire country proud. I still remember when we won the 1995 Champions League title, the conditions were tough in the away matches but we played as one solid team.

"In the semifinal and final in Uganda and Ivory Coast, we were written off after not doing so well in the first leg matches at home.

"The game that I will never forget was the final against Asec Mimosas in Ivory Coast. We played to a 2-2 draw here at home. When we got to Ivory Coast, we were told Asec had not lost at home in a very long time. We were confident and the presence of (club chairman) Dr Irvin Khoza also helped us a lot. It is history that Legs of Thunder (Jerry Sikhosana) scored the only goal of the final and we won the title. The current crop have what it takes to win the title.

"Nothing is impossible, but Pirates must stop underestimating the opposition."

Pirates remain the only club in southern Africa to have won the ACL title and have been instructed by Khoza to add a second gold star.