Orlando Pirates are not overconfident but do believe in their ability to beat Etoile Du Sahel in next month's CAF Confederation Cup final, says Bucs' key striker Kermit Erasmus.
Erasmus, Pirates' joint top scorer with Thamsanqa Gabuza in the Confed Cup with five goals, turned the tide as a substitute in Pirates' 4-3 away victory against Al Ahly in the second leg semifinal in Suez on Sunday.
The striker said Pirates learnt lessons from a 4-1 defeat to Ahly's Cairo rivals Zamalek in the final group stage match in the Egyptian capital.
"We took a lot of positives from the Zamalek game. We knew losing 4-1 didn't mean we were a bad team, we just didn't pitch on the day.
"Coming to the Al Ahly game, we had the right mentality and attitude. We were hungry. And I think we showed character and represented one another very well," Erasmus said.
"Going to the final, I wouldn't say we're not underdogs. But with the character we showed against Al Ahly, if we can stick to that, who knows what might happen."
Four players scored for Pirates on the night, but it was Erasmus's introduction for Lehlohonolo Majoro in the 56th minute with Bucs 2-0 down and the tie appearing to slip away from them, and a fine strike a minute later that turned the tide.
What followed was a dramatic comeback against the defending champions and sweet revenge for the 3-1 aggregate CAF Champions League final defeat to Al Ahly in 2013.
"When I joined Pirates in 2013 I couldn't play in the Champions League because I was cup-tied," he added.
"Now here we are in the Confed final and I'm happy I could contribute to the team getting there. I'm happy to be part of a team that's known for making history and hopefully we can top it off by lifting the cup."
Erasmus believes Pirates can pull it off
Orlando Pirates are not overconfident but do believe in their ability to beat Etoile Du Sahel in next month's CAF Confederation Cup final, says Bucs' key striker Kermit Erasmus.
Erasmus, Pirates' joint top scorer with Thamsanqa Gabuza in the Confed Cup with five goals, turned the tide as a substitute in Pirates' 4-3 away victory against Al Ahly in the second leg semifinal in Suez on Sunday.
The striker said Pirates learnt lessons from a 4-1 defeat to Ahly's Cairo rivals Zamalek in the final group stage match in the Egyptian capital.
"We took a lot of positives from the Zamalek game. We knew losing 4-1 didn't mean we were a bad team, we just didn't pitch on the day.
"Coming to the Al Ahly game, we had the right mentality and attitude. We were hungry. And I think we showed character and represented one another very well," Erasmus said.
"Going to the final, I wouldn't say we're not underdogs. But with the character we showed against Al Ahly, if we can stick to that, who knows what might happen."
Four players scored for Pirates on the night, but it was Erasmus's introduction for Lehlohonolo Majoro in the 56th minute with Bucs 2-0 down and the tie appearing to slip away from them, and a fine strike a minute later that turned the tide.
What followed was a dramatic comeback against the defending champions and sweet revenge for the 3-1 aggregate CAF Champions League final defeat to Al Ahly in 2013.
"When I joined Pirates in 2013 I couldn't play in the Champions League because I was cup-tied," he added.
"Now here we are in the Confed final and I'm happy I could contribute to the team getting there. I'm happy to be part of a team that's known for making history and hopefully we can top it off by lifting the cup."