Leopards, Bucs fly the flag

Leopards, who are struggling in the Absa Premiership, welcome Motor Action of Zimbabwean in the CAF Confederation Cup to Peter Mokaba Stadium tomorrow at 3pm.

The Buccaneers, on the other hand, take on Angolan side CRD Libolo in the lucrative Africa Champions League at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday at 3pm.

Bucs chairman Irvin “Iron Duke” Khoza has given the players and technical staff a mandate to bring back the trophy.

Pirates are the only southern African club to win the title, courtesy of a solitary goal by Jerry “Legs of Thunder” Sikhosana against Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas back in 1995.

“Pirates are trendsetters . we are the first club to win all the PSL competitions, and now we want to reclaim the Champions League trophy,” said Khoza.

“We are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year and the best way to do it is to win all the silverware in sight.”

Before coming to South Africa last month, Libolo had a training camp in Portugal as part of their preparations for the Champions League campaign.

In one of their friendly matches, the Angolans were defeated 2-0 by National First Division battlers Witbank Spurs in Pretoria a fortnight ago.

For their preparations, Pirates also played a series of friendly matches gainst foreign clubs, one of which was the 1-1 draw against Inter Luanda of Angola.

Leopards chairman David Thidiela said: “We want to win the home match comfortably to make things easier for us when we go to Zimbabwe in two weeks’ time. Our message to South Africans is: come to Peter Mokaba Stadium and celebrate with us when we beat Motor Action.”

Bucs coach Julio Leal will pin his hopes on the likes of Oupa Manyisa, Benni McCarthy, Andile Jali and Tlou Segolela to win the clash. Leal’s counterpart at Leopards, Vladislav Heric, will look to players like Rodney Ramagalela, Raymond Monama and Tiyani Mabunda to brush the Zimbabweans aside.