DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo's TP Mazembe will be history in the 2013 African Champions League, come 5.30pm on Sunday.
This was the bold prediction of Pirates assistant coach Tebogo Moloi, whose team takes on Mazembe in their return leg match in Lubumbashi.
The Buccaneers won a dramatic first-leg 3-1 in Soweto two weeks ago, where Swazi referee Smanga Nhleko ended up being punched by a Mazembe official for awarding a late penalty, converted by Collins Mbesuma.
The South African soccer giants leave for Lubumbashi today for this potentially explosive encounter with their tails firmly between their legs after suffering a 1-0 defeat by Chippa United on Tuesday night.
But that did little to dampen Moloi's fighting talk: "This is the big one, it's going to be war this time round, but we are happy that we have a stronger squad than when we played Mazembe in the first leg."
Coach Roger de Sa now has a bigger pool of experienced players to choose from with Sifiso Myeni, Oupa Manyisa and Thandani Ntshumayelo available for selection.
Defender Rooi Mahamutsa is not travelling to the DRC as he is not registered for this tournament. Pirates were under the impression his injury would not heal so soon.
Happy Jele is back to add steel to the defence after missing the midweek game against the Chilli Boyz due to suspension.
"We need an early goal and to double it up later in the game, that will be the end of Mazembe in this tournament. We are not afraid of them. They have finally reached the end of the road in this tournament," said Moloi. "We have been to Lubumbashi to play Mazembe in 2002 and that game ended in a one-all draw.
"We want the second (champions') star. TP Mazembe must move out of our way."
Moloi doesn't fear Mazembe
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo's TP Mazembe will be history in the 2013 African Champions League, come 5.30pm on Sunday.
This was the bold prediction of Pirates assistant coach Tebogo Moloi, whose team takes on Mazembe in their return leg match in Lubumbashi.
The Buccaneers won a dramatic first-leg 3-1 in Soweto two weeks ago, where Swazi referee Smanga Nhleko ended up being punched by a Mazembe official for awarding a late penalty, converted by Collins Mbesuma.
The South African soccer giants leave for Lubumbashi today for this potentially explosive encounter with their tails firmly between their legs after suffering a 1-0 defeat by Chippa United on Tuesday night.
But that did little to dampen Moloi's fighting talk: "This is the big one, it's going to be war this time round, but we are happy that we have a stronger squad than when we played Mazembe in the first leg."
Coach Roger de Sa now has a bigger pool of experienced players to choose from with Sifiso Myeni, Oupa Manyisa and Thandani Ntshumayelo available for selection.
Defender Rooi Mahamutsa is not travelling to the DRC as he is not registered for this tournament. Pirates were under the impression his injury would not heal so soon.
Happy Jele is back to add steel to the defence after missing the midweek game against the Chilli Boyz due to suspension.
"We need an early goal and to double it up later in the game, that will be the end of Mazembe in this tournament. We are not afraid of them. They have finally reached the end of the road in this tournament," said Moloi. "We have been to Lubumbashi to play Mazembe in 2002 and that game ended in a one-all draw.
"We want the second (champions') star. TP Mazembe must move out of our way."
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