With a curious comment by Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro very much open to misinterpretation, KickOff explains the key permutations for the side's progression to the CAF Champions League knockout stages.
After Pirates made light work of Stade d'Abidjan with a 3-0 scoreline at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, Riveiro praised his charges' effort on the day, and was particularly pleased with the number of goals scored.
READ: Appollis off to Pirates? 'Let the headlines fly'
"From beginning to end, a really good performance from the boys, excellent attitude, excellent rhythm, excellent intentions, well-executed our plan," the Spaniard said on SABC Sport.
"Obviously we're playing a competition where goal difference could play a role in the end, but I think we cannot complain about anything today. It was an extraordinary performance in every phase."
This invited questions around whether goal difference does come into play in the competition in the case of two teams – placed first and second, or second and third – finishing on the same number of points.
The answer to that question is not a simple yes or no.
According to CAF rules, the following are the tiebreakers in the group stages of the inter-club competitions:
1) Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams
2) Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams
3) Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams
4) Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams
5) If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams is still tied, all head-to-head criteria above is reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams
6) Goal difference in all group matches
7) Goals scored in all group matches
8) Away goals scored in all group matches
9) Drawing of lots.
The Soweto giants currently sit top of the standings in Group C, having amassed eight points after four matches played.
Second-placed Al Ahly have one point less, while CR Belouizdad have collected six.
READ | Belouizdad president: We must qualify with Al Ahly
This means the group is wide open, with even whipping boys Stade d'Abidjan, on seven points, having a slim chance of making it to the quarterfinals, by convincingly winning their two remaining games and hoping Belouizdad lose against Pirates and Al Ahly.
For The Buccaneers to exit the 'goal difference WhatsApp group', all they need is a win against the Algerians on Saturday, leaving them to fight for top spot away to Al Ahly on January 18.