VICTORIOUS Orlando Pirates were met by a sea of black, white and red at the OR Tambo Airport yesterday as thousands of fans welcomed the Caf Confederation Cup finalists home from Egypt.
Bucs fans swamped the airport to cheer their heroes, who defied the odds in Suez on Sunday when they destroyed holders, Al Ahly, 4-3 to reach the final with a 5-3 aggregate. They face Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel in the two-legged final to be played next month.
The players and head coach Eric Tinkler were overwhelmed by the tumultuous welcome.
Said Tinkler: “This is amazing. This is what we play for – the fans. Now we have to go all the way and win the cup.”
Said Bucs defender Happy Jele: “This is an unbelievable welcome. We now have to go all the way and win it for the fans. It seems like the whole country is behind us. This is fantastic. We are all very happy.”
Jele added that his teammates were determined to emulate the Class of 1995, who also defied the odds and became the first Mzansi club to win the Caf Champions League when they defeated Asec Mimosas 3-2 on aggregate to win the 1995 Caf African Champions Cup.
Said Jele: “Beating Al Ahly in their backyard was an incredible performance by the players.
“We showed character after going 2-0 down in the second half.
“We always believed in ourselves and never gave up.”
Jele stated his side refused to buckle under pressure from Al Ahly: “We are used to pressure – we thrive on it. We are looking forward to the final.”
Bucs play the first leg of the final at Orlando Stadium on 21 November and the return leg in Tunisia a week later.
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