Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori hopes his side can brush aside their underwhelming domestic form and become the first side from South Africa to win the Caf Confederation Cup.
The Buccaneers, who lie seventh in the Premier Soccer League and made early exits from two domestic knockout competitions, take on Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane in Friday’s final in Uyo, Nigeria (19:00 GMT).
Clubs from Morocco and Tunisia have dominated Africa’s second-tier continental club competition since its launch in 2004, winning 11 of the 18 finals – with Berkane victorious in 2020.
Pirates, meanwhile, won what is now the African Champions League back in 1995 but lost on their sole appearance in the Confederation Cup final in 2015 to Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel.
“Pirates have had a poor domestic season and the only trophy we can win is the Confederation Cup,” Ghana international Ofori said.
“Supporters remember only winners and that is why we must succeed. The 1995 heroes are fondly remembered. We want to achieve the same status.”
The Soweto-based team also want to avenge a heavy defeat to another Moroccan side in last season’s quarter-finals as they lost 5-1 on aggregate to Raja Casablanca.
“That was a huge stain on Pirates’ proud record in Africa,” Ofori said.
“There will be no repeat, We are going to Nigeria to win the final.”
Pirates edged past Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli 2-1 on aggregate in the last four, while Berkane overcame TP Mazembe of DR Congo – who won the competition in 2016 and 2017 – 4-2 over two legs in their semi-final tie.
“We do not underestimate Berkane, especially after they scored four goals to eliminate TP Mazembe,” Ofori added.
“I appreciate Mazembe had a player sent off in the second half – but when last did any club in Africa score four against Mazembe?”