It's half-time and Orlando Pirates have an advantage, was the positive angle from which Bucs coach Eric Tinkler looked at his side's 1-0 CAF Confederation Cup semifinal first leg victory against Al Ahly at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Tinkler said Pirates would not be going to the second leg match in Suez on Sunday to defend.
"I said this before the game that it was important to keep a clean sheet at home," Tinkler said. "Don't give them that advantage. And that was our prime objective today.
" I thought we defended exceptionally well. Now I'm happy with the 1-0 win, truth be told," said the Bucs coach.
"We have that advantage that we didn't concede and that they will need to come at us, and when we get opportunities we need to take them.
"It's only 90 minutes played. It's like half-time right now," he said.
Pirates came into the game struggling with domestic form, having not won in three PSL matches. They were also missing key players through suspension or injuries in Happy Jele, Siyabonga Sangweni, Oupa Manyisa and Brighton Mhlongo.
"In the areas where we needed to improvise we did it with players who have experience. For example, Thandani Ntshuma-yelo, he did a fantastic job," Tinkler said.
Bucs took the lead in the ninth minute through Thamsanqa Gabuza. They pushed for a second, but could not take some decent chances against superbly organised Ahly, who came out of a defensive shell to some extent in the second half.
Red Devils coach Fathi Mabrouk hinted his side will be more attacking in Egypt.
"I briefed the team on Orlando Pirates's speed. This is Pirates - they use speed to score," Mabrouk said.
"Al Ahly are a team used to being champions. We are looking forward to the second leg on Sunday, where we want to take the opportunities that we get."
Advantage Bucs, but job not done
It's half-time and Orlando Pirates have an advantage, was the positive angle from which Bucs coach Eric Tinkler looked at his side's 1-0 CAF Confederation Cup semifinal first leg victory against Al Ahly at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Tinkler said Pirates would not be going to the second leg match in Suez on Sunday to defend.
"I said this before the game that it was important to keep a clean sheet at home," Tinkler said. "Don't give them that advantage. And that was our prime objective today.
" I thought we defended exceptionally well. Now I'm happy with the 1-0 win, truth be told," said the Bucs coach.
"We have that advantage that we didn't concede and that they will need to come at us, and when we get opportunities we need to take them.
"It's only 90 minutes played. It's like half-time right now," he said.
Pirates came into the game struggling with domestic form, having not won in three PSL matches. They were also missing key players through suspension or injuries in Happy Jele, Siyabonga Sangweni, Oupa Manyisa and Brighton Mhlongo.
"In the areas where we needed to improvise we did it with players who have experience. For example, Thandani Ntshuma-yelo, he did a fantastic job," Tinkler said.
Bucs took the lead in the ninth minute through Thamsanqa Gabuza. They pushed for a second, but could not take some decent chances against superbly organised Ahly, who came out of a defensive shell to some extent in the second half.
Red Devils coach Fathi Mabrouk hinted his side will be more attacking in Egypt.
"I briefed the team on Orlando Pirates's speed. This is Pirates - they use speed to score," Mabrouk said.
"Al Ahly are a team used to being champions. We are looking forward to the second leg on Sunday, where we want to take the opportunities that we get."
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