Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has fired a warning shot to Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy as the two sides prepare to do battle in the CAF Champions League.
It is not often teams are handed the opportunity to rectify embarrassing wrongs of the past in continental competitions, however Pirates have earned a chance to do just that as they meet Galaxy in the second preliminary rounds of the competition just like last season.
The teams will square off at the National Stadium in Gaborone at 4pm today in the first of a two-legged fixture with revenge on the Sea Robbers’ mind.
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The winner will qualify for the group stages of the competition.
Mabasa was on loan at Moroka Swallows at this time last season when Pirates exited the tournament in their own backyard.
Now as the starting number nine in coach Jose Riveiro’s thriving system, the Bafana Bafana striker insists that Pirates are transformed 12 months from that dreadful night in Orlando.
“Look, a lot of people have been talking about Jwaneng and what happened last season but this is a new season, a new Orlando Pirates, one that creates a lot of chances and take them,” he said.
“So going into the game, we are very motivated, you know, this club deserves to play in the Champions League each and every season and not only play in it but to compete and that is exactly what we’re going out to do this weekend. It will be a difficult encounter but we are well prepared for it.”
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Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will be the two South African representatives in the Champions League this season while Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune United fly the flag in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Brazilians have their own assignment to deal with in Eswatini side Mbabane Swallows. Stellies face Congolese outfit AS Vita club while Babina Noko battles CD Lunda from Angola.
Mabasa took a glance at the bigger picture with Pirates competing for a second successive season.
The Buccaneers haven’t been to a Champions League final since 2013 and Mabasa expressed that they aim to grow their stature in the competition to the same consistency currently exhibited by Mamelodi Sundowns.
“The pressure we get, it’s different competition (in Africa), it’s a different test, different teams than what we’re used to, lots of international players in these teams and it can help improve us as players, as you see with Sundowns,” Mabasa said.
He added: “The more they play in the CAF Champions League, the better they become, the same as Afcon, if you play games in CAF, the better you become as a group and individually as well.
“So hopefully being in the CAF Champions League will help us and going into this game as well, we’ll take our lessons from it and continue to improve together as a team.”