Orlando Pirates have very special visitors in Soweto. It’s the 12-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: ORLANDO PIRATES VS AL AHLY
The Sea Robbers have to build on their dreams start in Algeria over a week ago with that 2-1 win over CR Belouizdad. Matchday two’s Al Ahly are also keen on two wins out of two after beating Stade d’Abidjan 4-2 in Cairo.
Today’s clash will be at the Orlando Stadium at 15:00.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly have been pictured training at the Orlando Stadium:
DEANO VAN ROOYEN TOLD STELLENBOSCH TO RELEASE HIM
Orlando Pirates managed to sign Deano Van Rooyen despite Stellies’ reluctance to release him. Find out how Van Rooyen made it happen.
With Thabiso Lebitso and Bandile Shandu injured for the Sea Robbers, Orlando Pirates went for Van Rooyen to cover and compete with Thabiso Monyane at right-back.
The 27-year-old Van Rooyen left Stellies after 161 matches in the top flight.
“They wanted to keep me, but I told them, let me follow my dream, I wanted something new in my career,” van Rooyen told iDiski Times.
“I have been all the years at Stellenbosch, I was there for eight years, just for me to make a switch and have a different environment, it will show the person I am, my character of my personality.
“I was talking to my family and players at Stellenbosch about what is best for me, they told me to go after my dreams, and I sat with my family to discuss the move to Orlando Pirates, they said they would be happy for me if I went, it’s what I wanted.
“I wanted to follow my dreams, but it was a difficult decision. You know they say players don’t survive here in the Jo’burg environment, everything is fast here, the lifestyle, everything, so for me it’s to behave on and off the field.
“I know why I came here, for me, it’s now to stay focused and just do my job here at Orlando Pirates, I know everyone says players [from Cape Town] come to Pirates and struggle, but I just need to do the right things, listen to the coaches and what they say,” Van Rooyen concluded.
WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF DEANO VAN ROOYEN AT ORLANDO PIRATES SO FAR?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com. You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
