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The 45-year-old believes the Buccaneers have the qualities to beat Zamalek again and he expects them to do so in Nelspruit.
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“Pirates have capabilities of winning because we've seen that they do quite well when they play against these so called big teams in Africa,” Mkhalele says.
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“They have talent, they got a depth that they can go out there and compete and go all the way and win the cup. But Zamalek is a good team and it is not going to be easy for both teams because they know each other quite well and they played against each other and Pirates did well.”
The two teams met in the CAF Champions League in 2013 with Pirates winning 4-1 at home before losing 2-1 away.
And Mkhalele suspects the Egyptians will be worried about resuming hostilities given the heavy defeat they suffered in South Africa.
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“I still believe that with the momentum Pirates have currently, I don't see them having more difficulties.
“Zamalek knows of Pirates' capabilities so they are shaking from what they have experienced during the Champions League a few years ago.
“One thing for sure they will want to avenge that. But I think that Pirates stand a good chance because of the qualifying games that they have played.
“They have been in difficult tough conditions, so now having come from that background they will give them upper hand in terms of how to deal with pressure.”
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