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Bucs need that spark of magic

Thamsanqa Gabuza and Orlando Pirates players celebrates during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on October 31, 2015 in Soweto. Picture credits: Gallo Images
Thamsanqa Gabuza and Orlando Pirates players celebrates during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on October 31, 2015 in Soweto. Picture credits: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates must find that spark of magic if they are to break a deadlock of two teams who cancelled each other out in the first leg and return home with the CAF Confederation Cup trophy on Sunday (kickoff 4pm SA time).

It was only a late defensive error that cost Bucs the win against Etoile du Sahel at Orlando Stadium last Saturday, doing all the hard work securing a lead through Thamsanqa Gabuza's 36th-minute stunner , only for Etoile captain Ammar Jemal to grab an 87th-minute equaliser.

Now Pirates have it all to do in the cup final second leg in the Tunisian resort city of Sousse, as they attempt to turn three years of hard toil across the continent into silverware - having also reached the 2013 Champions League final, where they lost to Al Ahly of Egypt.

If the Buccaneers are to break down a team whose intricate system saw playmaker Alaya Brigui drop to right wing-back as Etoile reverted to three centre-backs when not in possession, Bucs coach Eric Tinkler will have to find a way to get star attacking influence Kermit Erasmus into the game. Etoile were impressed by Erasmus's performance coming off the bench to rescue Pirates from 2-0 down in the 4-3 comeback win against Al Ahly in the semifinal away leg in Suez, and swarmed all over the Bucs striker in Orlando.

"And that's the reason why after the game I looked at all those elements," Tinkler said ahead of Sunday's encounter.

"It was difficult for us - or for Kermit, for example - to create space. Some of that was due to Etoile's marking. Some was also because of our movement. We crowded ourselves too much.

"That's what we've been working on this week. We have noticed that there are areas that they do have weaknesses and that we can exploit."

Sunday pits Pirates' impressive away form - drawing two and winning three of seven games - against Sahel's excellent record at home.

Sahel have won six out of seven and drawn one in Sousse.

With the Tunisian club having an away goal, Tinkler said he expected them to play to a similar game plan to the first leg, even at their 30000-seat Stade Oympique de Sousse.

Tinkler wants his team not just to break Etoile down, which they did manage on occasion despite labouring against the north Africans' defensive tactics in the first leg, but also to put away their chances.

Tinkler might consider bringing Rooi Mahamutsa back in central defence, ahead of ageing warhorse Siyabonga Sangweni to put the fear of God into Sahel's forwards.

lSee page 42

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