Ofori expecting family & friends at the CAFCC final in Uyo

One of Orlando Pirates™ strengths in the group stages and knockout phase of the CAF Confederations Cup, which has seen them reaching the final against RS Berkane of Morocco, has been the return of its internationals from injuries.

Ghanaian international number one goalkeeper, the vastly experienced Richard Ofori is one of those players, together with Bafana Bafana internationals Thembinkosi Lorch, Innocent Maela and most recently Vincent Pule.

Ofori who will be playing in his first ever cup final at this level, speaking to the media at the Orlando stadium today, also looks forward to this game.

.@orlandopirates and Ghanaian international Richard Ofori, also looks back on this #TotalEnergiesCAFCC journey. œNow everything is successful because we are in the final but it was not easy. Said Ofori.? @Velile_Mnyandu #SABCSport411 pic.twitter.com/fDir4FYWaL— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 17, 2022

œYah it was a long injury and so obviously coming back and be in the final it™s amazing feeling for me but I would say it was a tough journey. Now everything is successful because we are in the final, but it wasn™t easy most of the traveling wasn™t easy at all, where you travel 14-15 hours, to go and play so you don™t get enough rest.

œI™d say congratulations to the guys they did very well in terms of the CAF although the leg things didn™t go well the way we were expecting, but at same time we need to put the leg thing aside and focus on the Cup-now we are on the final.

"The journey wasn™t easy but the most important thing is, we make the country proud, we make ourselves proud and then we make sure that we deliver for the team so that™s the most important thing, that™s what we are focusing on said Ofori.

Ofori, his fellow countryman Kwame Peprah and Nigerian international defender Olisa Ndah, they will be the three West African players, who will be playing this final in their region. The former Maritzburg United goalkeeper revealed that his family will be at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium stadium in Uyo to watch him and his Buccaneers on Friday evening.

œThe feeling is so good. Some of my family members and friends they want to come because from Ghana to Nigeria it™s about 30 minutes to fly or 45 minutes. So they want to come and experience the final because (for) myself it™s the first time to play in the CAF final so everyone want to come and experience œthe Ghanaian born added.

The last time Pirates played a continental cup final in West Africa, they triumphed in 1995, winning their maiden CAF Champions League title in 1995. They return to the same region this time around, with Ofori saying their focus is on making history with the current generation.

By Velile Mnyandu