When Orlando Pirates went a goal down against Al Ahly inside of 15 minutes, I think most of the country gave a collective sigh and thought, 'Well, now getting to the Caf Champions League Final is a major feat all on its own even if we don't win it.'
And then something magical happened. The Orlando Pirates players started playing the kind of football that wouldn't look out of place in the European Champions League. All of a sudden Pirates went up a gear, playing essentially two-touch football at breakneck speed and the Egyptians were completely outplayed.
Yes, they may claim that by design they sit back and absorb pressure and play on the counter. But I still maintain that any team that sits back and plays on the counter doesn't do so because it is a tactic, but because it is the only survival mechanism they have at their disposal to compete. Any proud team worth their weight in gold wants to boss the game. Wants to be the aggressor, the tormentor. This isn't boxing, this isn't Muhammad Ali deciding on a tactic of rope-a-dope. This is 11 Egyptians battening down the hatches and hoping that they survive the onslaught.
Yes, it was a 1-1 draw in the end. Yes, Al Ahly have an important away goal. But if you ask which team is more scared going into round two this coming weekend, I think you will find Al Ahly shaking in their boots. I think you will find their coaching staff looking at the game tape and wondering how on earth they are going to do anything else except take another punishing beating for 90 minutes and hope that a long ball to relieve the pressure might land at the feet of one of their strikers and that they are able to put it away.
In my last column I told you how proud Orlando Pirates make us. I can't add anything to that column from my side. But in the run-up to this CAF Final, Soccer-Laduma started a 'Fan Wall' on www.snl24.com/soccerladuma and we invited South African soccer lovers to leave messages for Pirates. The Fan Wall is quickly nearing one hundred thousand page views, which to me goes a long way in showing just how much love there is for this Orlando Pirates team.
Below are some of the messages that have been left for Orlando Pirates. If you haven't yet gone to see that page and leave your comment, I would suggest you go there and be a part of history. Yes, Pirates may not be your club, but they are flying the flag for our country and winning this CAF Champions League will do so much good for South African soccer.
"We congratulate Orlando Pirates for having reached the finals of this prestigious CAF African Champions League Cup. This is an important milestone not only for the team, but for soccer and sports in general in our country. We express our strongest support to the team. The nation must support them as they fly the South African flag high…" -
President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma
"It's a prestigious moment for South Africa. Best of luck to Orlando Pirates on their journey. They have already made the country proud. Everyone is talking about them, so they must do their best." - Ajax Amsterdam Director of Sport and Dutch legend, Marc Overmars
"All I can say is that, if it was the first time Pirates played a game of this magnitude, it would be difficult but because they played before and won it, it's easy. It's like taking a girl out on a date for the first time, you shake and feel intimidated. I don't think they'll find it difficult to finish in style, they're capable. These guys must just finish what they've started, they can't let it slip away now. All the best." - Orlando Pirates legend Jomo Cosmos owner, Jomo Sono
"The guys know all the challenges they've been through during the competition. They have endured hard times and now it's the final hurdle. They know what is at stake and Pirates is the only team with a star, why not get the second one? I believe they can do it and I wish them all the best." - Former Bafana Orlando Pirates defender, Mark Fish
"They must win for the nation. They will be the only team in the country to win their second Champions League trophy and that will give South Africa the recognition we deserve. I wish them all the best as they represent all of us." - Kaizer Chiefs legend, Teenage Dladla
If it isn't yet clear to you Orlando Pirates players that every South African is behind you, then let it be known that when you climb on to that plane and jet off to Cairo, you take our hearts and hopes with you. And when you are on that field, and things are getting tough, and a stadium of 70 000 Egyptians are making even the simplest pass seem impossible to play - know that 50 million South Africans have got your back. Go get us that second star, lads!
Shapa, Clint
