Orlando Pirates youngster Christian Derbyshire has reflected on the Soweto giants’ disappointing results in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League at Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in St Pierre this past weekend.
Derbyshire started the game as Pirates were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Mauritian outfit La Cure Waves in their CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg tie on Sunday afternoon.
The Sea Robbers failed to score in the away tie, putting themselves under immense pressure to beat La Cure Waves in the return leg at Orlando Amstel Arena this coming weekend.
Pirates are looking to avoid last season’s heartbreak, which saw them crashing out of the Champions League second preliminary rounds after suffering a defeat against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo on penalties after playing to a 3-3 draw on aggregate over two legs.
The Buccaneers will be aiming to go out guns blazing in the second leg to claim positive results and advance to the next round.
In the first leg against La Cure Waves, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made several changes in the starting line-up, which included handing Derbyshire his debut in the first team.
WHAT DERBYSHIRE SAID ABOUT PIRATES CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ENCOUNTER
The centre-back gained promotion to the Pirates senior team after playing a major role in the DStv Diski Challenge side last season as the club won their maiden league title.
“It’s never easy going away from home. I think we played well; we just had to take our chances. We dominated the game, and the other team just sat back,” said Derbyshire.
“But I think it was a good performance, just not the result we wanted. I think if this game went the way last season went [losing away to Lupopo], it was going to be a different story.
“I think this draw we got away from home is going to be beneficial for us because you know how it is at home. It’s nothing [the results] I expected; I thought we would get one or two goals, but we had half of the stadium behind us, and I thought it motivated us and kept us going.”
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