Tout Puissant Mazembe

After overpowering Zanaco FC last Saturday, Orlando Pirates will now have another tough hurdle to get over before they reach the group stages of the African Champions League.

The Sea Robbers’ next opponents will be 2009 and 2010 Champions League Champions TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Congolese outfit thumped Mochudi Centre Chiefs (Botswana) 6 – 0 yesterday in Congo, a result that automatically pits them for a battle against Pirates who beat Zanaco 2 – 1 on Saturday.

Bucs Captain Lucky Lekgwathi welcomed the draw against the former African Champions, who in 2010 reached the finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, losing only in the final against European giants Inter Milan.

Lekgwathi said that although the Congolese team come to this tournament with a huge pedigree, Pirates will be up to challenge against a Mazembe side, who have welcomed the return of one of Africa’s most sought after player and DRC National team captain, Trésor Mputu to their squad.

“You know, this is a good draw for us,” said Lekgwathi. “When facing a team of this stature you automatically double your efforts in preparation for the encounter. We know what TP Mazembe are about and what they have achieved to date. We will respect them like we do all the opposition we face but by no means will we be intimidated.

“They come here (to Johannesburg) first which is okay for us. They are beatable, just like all the teams in the competition. No team is unbeatable so we will go into that match with that mentality and let’s hope things go well for us.”

He added: “In big tournaments sometimes what counts is not so much how well you can play but how hungry one is to succeed. The group is focused in this tournament and we will definitely be prepared to fight against TP Mazembe.”