MC Algers Head Coach Admits Fear Before CAF Champions League Clash Against Orlando Pirates

MC Algers’ head coach, Khaled Ben Yahia, has openly admitted to feeling fear before his team faced Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League, a match that ended in a 1-0 defeat for the Algerian side at home. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Algiers fell short in converting their opportunities, leading to a disappointing loss.

The match, played at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, saw the home team control 68 percent of possession and fire 21 shots at goal. However, the Buccaneers managed to withstand the pressure, with substitute Mohau Nkota coming off the bench to score the match-winning goal for Orlando Pirates.

Ben Yahia, who has experience coaching in CAF Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals with Esperance de Tunis, admitted that the fear he had before the match stemmed from the knowledge of the strength of Orlando Pirates. Despite his concerns, he praised the effort his players put in, stating that they gave their all from the very first whistle.

“I am doubly saddened by the course of the match and the efforts made by the players. We prepared well for the match in all aspects: physically, technically, and even in terms of activating the game,” said Ben Yahia in his post-match comments, as reported by Kooora.

He went on to reflect on the pre-match warnings he had received about the dangers of facing Orlando Pirates, revealing his initial fear. However, he was quick to praise his team’s overall performance, especially in terms of the pressure they applied on their opponents throughout the game.

“I was very afraid of the match because someone warned me about Orlando, but the truth is, what we did was exceptional. We gave our best effort and put pressure on our opponent from the start, not letting them breathe, and they were unable to break the pressure,” he explained.

Ben Yahia, whose managerial experience in the CAF Champions League has given him a deep respect for tough opponents, recognized that despite the possession and the numerous scoring opportunities, his team lacked the clinical finishing required to win.

“I’ve played in the (CAF) Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals before with Esperance de Tunis, and I know what it means to respect your opponent. However, our control of today’s match was clear, as evidenced by the numerous chances we missed. All the statistics were in our favour, but we lacked effectiveness,” he remarked.

While the loss was painful for both Ben Yahia and the players, the coach also took time to acknowledge the unwavering support from the fans. “The loss is what hurts. The fans came in force and encouraged us a lot. I feel proud and disappointed at the same time. I am proud of the team and what the players did, and disappointed to lose a quarter-final match. I hope the future will be better,” he concluded.

The defeat leaves MC Algers with much to ponder as they look ahead, but it also highlights the unpredictable nature of the CAF Champions League, where even dominating teams can find themselves on the losing side when key moments are missed.