The match will be played on Saturday, 14 March at Orlando Stadium and kick-off is at 17h00, with the return leg scheduled for the first weekend of April.
Rakhale has been the darling of fans since his return from Polokwane City where he spent a season on loan. During the 2-0 win against Chippa United on Wednesday, the midfielder came on as a second-half substitute and – besides making a big impact down the left – produced a piece of skill that got the crowd on their feet.
This weekend the 23-year-old will have another chance to produce another piece of magic, but the player insists the team has to win first.
“This is a big match and we all want to win,” Rakhale tells snl24.com/kickoff.
“We will take it one match at a time. I’m ready and prepared for the match and everyone in the team is positive. Everyone is taking the match and this competition very seriously because we want to do well.
“The guys reached the final the last time they played in a CAF competition and now we want to keep the momentum going. Lately the team has been playing well and it’s very important that we keep the momentum going.”
Rakhale grew up supporting Pirates, with Steve Lekoelea his favourite player. Like Lekoelea who dazzled the crowd with his mesmerising ball skills during his heyday, Rakhale says everything comes naturally.
“Forget the trick I pulled on Wednesday against Chippa United [laughs], I was enjoying myself and this is what I do when I’m enjoying myself. For me, skills come naturally and it’s part of how I play football.”
Asked if there are more tricks coming, he replies: “Let’s see what happens in the upcoming matches...”