Tinkler, whose side were humiliated 4-1 by Al Ahly’s rivals Zamalek on Sunday in their last match of the group stages, says the 2013 Champions League winners are not as strong as they were two years ago.
READ: Sikhosana backs Bucs against Al Ahly
Pirates lost to Al Ahly 3-1 on aggregate in the 2013 Champions League Final but Tinkler feels Bucs have a better chance of winning this time around.
“Tough, but I think Zamalek without a doubt are the best team, without a shadow of doubt, and I think we’ve got a good chance to beat Al Ahly,” Tinkler said as Pirates arrived at OR Tambo International airport this morning.
“It is important we score some goals at home and we don't concede so that we take something there to protect.
“It's a semi-final and I think if anything, it is going to be a tough encounter. It's going back to 2013 when we played them. It's payback time and it is something the players always wanted.
“Right at the beginning of this competition, they wanted to meet Al Ahly and now they’ve got that opportunity and they’ve got to come out and produce the goods.”
Get the latest Pirates news sent to your phone. SMSs cost R1.50.
Tinkler added that their 4-1 defeat to Zamalek on Sunday was a wake-up call to his players and the coach expects a positive response.
“This was a wake-up call to everybody. You lost 4-1 to a very good team, we didn't show up, they gave us a little bit of a football lesson and now we have to go out there and prove our worth. Players need to prove their worth.”