ORLANDO Pirates are going ahead with preparations for Sunday night's African Champions League clash with reigning champions Al-Ahly in Egypt despite the latter's request for a postponement.
This is according to Pirates joint assistant coach Tebogo Moloi following media reports that the Egyptian soccer giants want the match postponed by five days.
In their letter to the Confederation of African Football, Al-Ahly argue that their request stems from the fact that they want to avoid Ramadan fasting. Their request is likely to be dismissed on the basis that it was submitted too late, with Pirates already having made flight and accommodation bookings.
Al-Ahly director Sayed Abdel Hafiz told the Egyptian media that they were hoping CAF will respond positively to their request to have the game played on August 9.
He said their players refused to break the fast when Al-Ahly played to a 1-1 draw in their opening group stages match and were still suffering.
Moloi said: "We read in the media that Al-Ahly have applied for postponement, we are going ahead with our preparations as per our programme because we have not been told anything about the changes.
"Our administration has made arrangements for us to fly to Egypt on Thursday.
"Al-Ahly's request is going to mess us up on the domestic front. Our opening Absa Premiership game [starting this weekend] has been postponed because of the trip to Egypt."
Senior officials from Pirates, who are working on the arrangements for the trip to the volatile North African country, are still waiting for CAF through the South African Football Association on the request by Al-Ahly.
Sowetan has learnt that Pirates have written to CAF [through Safa], also wanting to know the status of the game and safety of their travelling team. Al-Ahly are also under pressure from the military to find a new venue for the game. The army bosses made it clear the game will not be played at their Air Defence Stadium in Cairo as the capital has been experiencing a series of violent protests, which claimed the lives of more than 70 people at the weekend.
Al-Ahly played neighbours Zamalek last Wednesday in the Red Sea resort of El-Gouna - which is about 450km north of Cairo - because of security problems in Cairo.
Sunday's game against Pirates could be played in Aswan, a city which is situated about 870 kilometres south of the capital Cairo. Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi said they were not bothered by plans by Al-Ahly to push for a postponement of the game.
"It's not fair for us, Al-Ahly knew about Ramadan for sometime now. We will go there and fight for a win to stay on top of the log."
Pirates are also sitting on one point like all the other three clubs in Group A after playing to a goalless draw with AC Leopards from Congo Brazzaville two weeks ago.
Pirates going ahead despite Al-ahly's request
ORLANDO Pirates are going ahead with preparations for Sunday night's African Champions League clash with reigning champions Al-Ahly in Egypt despite the latter's request for a postponement.
This is according to Pirates joint assistant coach Tebogo Moloi following media reports that the Egyptian soccer giants want the match postponed by five days.
In their letter to the Confederation of African Football, Al-Ahly argue that their request stems from the fact that they want to avoid Ramadan fasting. Their request is likely to be dismissed on the basis that it was submitted too late, with Pirates already having made flight and accommodation bookings.
Al-Ahly director Sayed Abdel Hafiz told the Egyptian media that they were hoping CAF will respond positively to their request to have the game played on August 9.
He said their players refused to break the fast when Al-Ahly played to a 1-1 draw in their opening group stages match and were still suffering.
Moloi said: "We read in the media that Al-Ahly have applied for postponement, we are going ahead with our preparations as per our programme because we have not been told anything about the changes.
"Our administration has made arrangements for us to fly to Egypt on Thursday.
"Al-Ahly's request is going to mess us up on the domestic front. Our opening Absa Premiership game [starting this weekend] has been postponed because of the trip to Egypt."
Senior officials from Pirates, who are working on the arrangements for the trip to the volatile North African country, are still waiting for CAF through the South African Football Association on the request by Al-Ahly.
Sowetan has learnt that Pirates have written to CAF [through Safa], also wanting to know the status of the game and safety of their travelling team. Al-Ahly are also under pressure from the military to find a new venue for the game. The army bosses made it clear the game will not be played at their Air Defence Stadium in Cairo as the capital has been experiencing a series of violent protests, which claimed the lives of more than 70 people at the weekend.
Al-Ahly played neighbours Zamalek last Wednesday in the Red Sea resort of El-Gouna - which is about 450km north of Cairo - because of security problems in Cairo.
Sunday's game against Pirates could be played in Aswan, a city which is situated about 870 kilometres south of the capital Cairo. Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi said they were not bothered by plans by Al-Ahly to push for a postponement of the game.
"It's not fair for us, Al-Ahly knew about Ramadan for sometime now. We will go there and fight for a win to stay on top of the log."
Pirates are also sitting on one point like all the other three clubs in Group A after playing to a goalless draw with AC Leopards from Congo Brazzaville two weeks ago.
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