Jose Riveiro plays down CRB’s struggles ahead of CAFCL’s group stages opener

The two teams lock horns in a Group C opener at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers tonight at 20:00 (21:00 SA Time).

READ: Bloemfontein in the past as Downs switch attention to CAF CL

Pirates have started well in the domestic championship, with a 100 percent winning record in the first seven games.

The same can’t be said about CRB, who are 10th in Ligue 1 standings, but Riveiro says this will have little effect on this game.

 ''This is a different competition, I don't think our situation in the league will play a big role. I think Belouizdad are coming from a time with a new coaching staff, they are getting better in the last few weeks, getting good results the last time they played in the league. So probably all of those components will be more important than their current situation in the league,'' said Riveiro.

Riveiro was responding to questions from the Algerian media on CRB’s stuttering start to the new season, as they have won their last two matches and recorded four draws and two losses.

Khanyisa Mayo’s team won their last game against the third-placed MC Alger 3-1 on the road.

The 49-year-old says the turnaround of results for both teams makes tonight’s game all exciting.

''I think both teams are in a good space, coming from good results in our local competitions but again this is a Champions League, it is a different story, different approach from both teams. It is the first match from the group stage, probably we will know more about each at the end of the 90 minutes, but tomorrow we have the opportunity - for both of us to start the group stages with a good result. It is going to be a good game I think,'' added Riveiro.

Pirates have also received a major boost ahead of this game, as they welcome seven key players returning from long injury layoffs.

The list includes vice-captain Thapelo Xoki, Deano Van Rooyen, Makhehlene Makhaula, Thabiso Lebitso and Sandile Mthethwa.

The Spanish-born coach is looking forward to facing a tough opponent.

 ''Excited to have the opportunity to have the opportunity to make history in the Champions League group stages in a place like this one against a  tough opponent, knowing the difficulty of the task. We come with the right intent to compete and hopefully get a good result,'' he expressed.

The Buccaneers are in a tough group with record 11-time African champions Al Ahly, who have also won the last two titles, and tournament debutants Stade Abidjan from Côte D’Ivoire.

For Pirates captain Innocent Maela, the priority now is to have a positive start in the group stages.