2 Clubs Orlando Pirates Must Avoid in the CAF Champions League Quarter Finals

• Orlando Pirates are still on course to win the CAF Champions League this season after qualifying for the quarter-finals of the competition
• The Soweto giants are now seen as one of the favourites to win the tournament this season after defeating the defending champions, Al Ahly in their last group stage match
• Briefly News names two clubs the Sea Robbers must try to avoid in the quarter-finals of the CAF elite club competition

Premier Soccer League giants Orlando Pirates are among the eight teams that qualified for the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League after topping Group C in the first stage.

The Soweto giants defeated defending champions Al Ahly in their last group game to seal a top-spot finish.

Briefly News has identified two clubs the Sea Robbers must avoid in the quarter-finals if they hope to win the competition this season.

Two clubs Pirates must avoid in CAF Champions League quarter-finals

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1. Mamelodi Sundowns

Drawing Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter-finals would be deadly for the Bucs and wouldn't be fair to PSL supporters who hope both clubs continue to progress in the competition.

The Brazilians might have struggled to find their feet in the recent games against the Sea Robbers, but the CAF Champions League is a different arena entirely, and experience plays a huge role in it.

The players at Sundowns are familiar with the pressure of playing a knockout round in the CAFCL, but it's a new phase for this generation of Pirates players.

Sundowns' current coach, Miguel Cardoso, guided Esperance to the final last season, so he's also familiar with the competition.

It would be better if both PSL sides are drawn against other clubs from Africa.

2. Pyramids FC

The Egyptian Premier League side missed out on the top-place finish due to the away goal rule. They finished behind Elias Mokwena's Esperance of Tunisia in Group D.

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Pyramids finished the group stage with the most goals (14) alongside their league rivals, Al Ahly. They are one of the teams that can hurt the Bucs if they are being paired together in round eight.

Krunoslav Jurcic's side thrashed Djoliba 6-0 in their last group stage match, but it was enough for them to top Group D.

Schedule for CAF Champions League quarter-finals fixtures

According to CAFonline.com, the quarter-finals will take place in late March and early April, 2025.

The first legs is scheduled for March 28 and 29, 2025 with the return fixtures set for April 4 and 5.

Koller blames referees for Al-Ahly's defeat to Pirates

Briefly News also reported that Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller has explained why his team lost to Orlando Pirates at the Cairo international.

The Swiss manager blamed the centre referee for denying his the Red Devils a clear goal against the Bucs.

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The Egyptian giants still have a chance to defend their title as they settled for a second place finish in Group C.

Source: Briefly News