Derbyshire backs Pirates to finish the job in Soweto after frustrating Mauritius draw
Orlando Pirates may have returned from Mauritius without a first-leg advantage, but teenage defender Cristian Derbyshire believes the Buccaneers have every reason to remain confident ahead of the decisive CAF Champions League clash in Soweto.
Pirates were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by La Cure Waves at the Côte-d’Or National Sports Complex on Sunday, despite dominating large periods of the encounter and creating opportunities to break the deadlock.
For Derbyshire, however, the result should not overshadow what he described as a strong performance from the South African champions.
The 19-year-old was handed a surprise start for his official Pirates debut and helped the Buccaneers keep a clean sheet in Mauritius.
“It’s never easy going away from home, especially leaving the country to play outside, it’s not easy,” Derbyshire told the Pirates media department.
The young defender admitted that Pirates’ biggest problem was their inability to turn their dominance into goals.
“I think we played well; it’s just that we never took our chances. We dominated the game. The other team just sat.”
Despite the disappointment, Derbyshire believes the draw could ultimately work in Pirates’ favour, particularly with the return leg taking place in front of their home supporters.
“I think it was a good performance, just not the result we wanted,” he added: “This result we got away from home is gonna be beneficial for us when we go back. Because you know how it is at home.”
The teenager was also surprised by the support Pirates received in Mauritius, revealing that the travelling Buccaneers faithful made their presence felt.
“I mean we had half of the stadium with us. So, I think that’s also a few roles in how we played. They motivated us; kept us going.”
The result leaves the preliminary-round tie delicately poised, with Pirates needing a victory at home to progress.
The decisive second leg will be played at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, 12 September, where Derbyshire and his teammates will look to turn their territorial dominance into the goals that eluded them in Mauritius.
