Orlando Pirates are heading to one of the Indian Ocean’s biggest sporting venues as they begin their CAF Champions League campaign against Mauritian champions La Cure Sylvester SC.
Orlando Pirates travel to the state-of-the-art Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius for the first leg on Sunday, September 6, with kick-off scheduled for 13:30 SAST.
The venue cost approximately R800 million to construct.
It is the largest integrated sports and entertainment hub in the Indian Ocean region.
It provides the infrastructure required for a fixture of this magnitude.
Although La Cure Sylvester are based in Port Louis, their home ground cannot meet the stringent infrastructure, security and pitch requirements imposed by CAF for high-profile continental matches.
That has forced the Mauritian champions to take their historic encounter with Orlando Pirates to the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in St. Pierre.
The stadium is Mauritius’ premier international multi-sport venue, boasting a quality playing surface, modern media facilities and professional player amenities.
It represents a significant upgrade in surroundings for a La Cure Sylvester side preparing for its first-ever appearance in the CAF Champions League.
The Mauritian champions earned their place after completing a historic domestic league and cup double.
However, manager Jérôme Thomas has admitted that his amateur squad faces a significant challenge against the professional Soweto giants.
Orlando Pirates arrive in Mauritius with considerably greater continental experience, squad depth and financial resources.
Despite losing the high flying new signing Ghampani Lungu, the Buccaneers also enter the match with confidence.
They demolished Kruger United 4-0 in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday, strengthening their position at the top of the early league standings.
For the** Sea Robbers**, this represents an opportunity to make a strong start to their latest continental campaign after last season’s early exit.
The Cote d’Or National Sports Complex. Image: Cote d’Or National Sports Complex website
The first leg will also provide head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou with the chance to establish control of the tie before the return match in Soweto.
La Cure Sylvester, meanwhile, will hope their home support and the unpredictability of knockout football can help them defy the odds.
The return leg is scheduled for September 12 at the Orlando Amstel Arena, with the aggregate winner set to face either AS Mangasport or African Stars in the next round.
For the champions of Mauritius, it is a historic occasion.
For Orlando Pirates, it is the first step towards continental redemption.
