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Why Palacios backs Pirates to reach CAFCL final

Former Orlando Pirates head coach Augusto Palacios believes the team is one of the favorites to win the CAF Champions League.

The Sea Robbers secured their place in the last eight of the competition after a 2-1 victory over CR Belouizdad on Sunday at Orlando Stadium.

Pirates were always favored to win against the struggling Algerian team, who currently sits ninth in their domestic league table, with only five wins out of 11 matches, having scored 13 goals and conceded five.

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Palacios, who attended the match, believes the North African club used the wrong strategy against the team coached by Jose Riveiro.

"It's a great achievement for Pirates because sometimes clubs don't give enough credit to this championship," notes Palacios.

"It's also an important financial aspect, which benefits the club. Reaching the Quarter-Finals is an achievement for Pirates.

"This good run shows that nothing is impossible. On paper, it might sound difficult, but when players aim to fight and succeed, then anything is achievable.

"People might talk about Al Ahly and Egypt being tough opponents, but nothing is difficult when you have the right mental approach.

"To reach the Quarter-Finals after so many years is a significant achievement for Pirates. Congratulations to the technical team and the players for making the club supporters proud," he added.

"It's not easy to score two goals against a team that came here hoping to secure just a point. Unfortunately, by the time they decided to start playing, Orlando Pirates had already scored.

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"The players from Pirates are hungry for success. There's nothing difficult in football; you just need to be prepared and have the mental confidence to succeed.

"Pirates are the champions of 1995, and the players may be looking for that second star. They are already accustomed to traveling and competing."

"I believe Pirates have a good opportunity to advance to the final."

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