Coach Jose Riveiro, seen here during the loss to Stellenbosch FC, will have his work cut out in picking up Orlando Pirates against Al Ahly. Photo: BackpagePix
BENNI McCarthy says he hopes Orlando Pirates are fully prepared to take on the challenges that come with participating in continental competition.
The Buccaneers are in the group stages of the CAF Champions League, and will host title holders and record champions Al Ahly in their second Group A match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Pirates began their campaign with a splendid 2-1 victory away to CR Belouizdad.
“I hope they are strong enough,” the former Manchester United forwards coach said of the club he starred for towards the end of his illustrious playing career.
“So far, they are doing really well, but I think when you want to win the PSL and you want to go into a final of the Champions League, you are going to need two squads.”
McCarthy thinks Pirates’ 1-0 defeat by Stellenbosch FC last weekend was indicative of the Buccaneers’ lack of strength in depth.
“We already saw against Stellenbosch – they played that match after they went to Algeria, and it’s catching up.
“They got found out because it becomes tougher with travelling.
“I just hope they have enough depth and they get their injured players back from injury, and then they keep them injury-free, because they are going to need every single player (for the dual campaign).”
McCarthy is speaking from experience, the former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach having competed on the continent with Usuthu.
“At AmaZulu, we found out the very hard way, you know, that playing in CAF is not a joke. You end up starting to prioritise.
“What’s more important? Playing in CAF, or trying to stay in the top six or top four?
“But it was hard because you go there and you come back from CAF, and you get hammered here (in the domestic league).
“We could not smoke the pipe. So, I hope that they are prepared.”
He is very happy that Jose Riveiro and his Pirates team are making a contest of the Premiership title race that has been the sole preserve of Mamelodi Sundowns for the last seven seasons.
“Listen, I am proud of what they are doing, pushing Sundowns, who had it very easy for so many years now, unchallenged almost.
“Now there’s some resistance and it’s coming from Pirates, and we want to see that in our league: to make it competitive and interesting. So, Pirates are doing a great job.”
The Buccaneers are joint first with Sundowns on 21 points after eight matches each, with the holders above them thanks to a better goal difference.
Both teams will be on continental duty this weekend, Pirates hosting Ahly at Orlando, while Sundowns are away to Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat.
The winner of their battle for domestic glory will no doubt be determined by who manages to juggle the two competitions the best, and with Sundowns having already proven themselves numerous times that they are capable of doubling up, the big test is for Pirates.
And McCarthy is hoping that his former team will be up to the task.
It is a pity he cannot help them directly, his sights set on coaching at a much higher level now that he has tasted working at Manchester United.
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