The Buccaneers will play their semifinal against either Egyptians giants Al-Ahly or Tunisian outfit Etoile du Sahel.
If Pirates beat Zamalek and finish top of the group they will play Etoile du Sahel in the semifinals.
“This game is still very important because physiologically it will be good to get a result against them because we will be facing another north African team in the semifinals,” Tinkler says.
“They play a similar brand of football and it will be very good for us to get there and get a result against Zamalek because it will increase the fear factor that the other teams have of us.
“I think already, a lot of those teams don't want to play us in the semifinals and if we can get that result, it will strengthen our chances of getting through to the Final.”
Tinkler also feels that his side will go into this match tonight without pressure, which will allow them to play their normal game.
“We are going there knowing that we are already in the semifinals, which kind takes the pressure off from the players to a degree and allows them to go there and play with a little bit of freedom in terms of being able to express themselves and enjoy the occasion as well.
“But they know the importance of trying to win the group because we want to find ourselves in the semifinals stage playing away from home first.
“And then getting the second leg at home, it has been quite good for us. If you look at where we are now, that's what has happened in the majority of the games … we first played away and then played at home and it gave good results.”