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COLLINS Mbesuma says it will be work as usual when his side Orlando Pirates take on TP Mazembe in the last round of the CAF champions’ league qualifiers.
Mbesuma said in an interview that he will put his friendship aside when Pirates face Mazembe which has a horde of Zambian players.
Mbesuma admitted that it would be an emotional game for him just like it was against Zanaco but he still had to do his job to qualify his team to the group stage of the CAF Champions’ league.
“You know when it comes to work, work is work. You can be friends outside (off the pitch) but when you on the field you do your business. Because here I get paid so I have to do the job and after the game we can be friends again,” Mbesuma said.
“This time we will be playing in a different country in Congo (DR) so it will be a different experience. Mazembe is a very good side and it will be a tough game. We will see how it will go.”
He said he had a bitter sweet victory against Zanaco because it was painful to see his fellow countrymen eliminated from the tournament but at the same time expressed happiness that Pirates progressed.
“It was tough, even them (Zanaco) came to win and they played very well. They played better than the played in Zambia. We are happy with the win but again am sad because Zanaco is out, I would have loved them to go far in the tournament,” he said.
Mazembe who won back to back CAF champions’ league titles in 2009 and 2010 has 2012 Africa Cup winning players such as Rainford Kalaba, Stoppila Sunzu, Hichani Himoonde and Francis Kasonde.
Mazeme also played in the 2010 FIFA World Clup cup against Inter Milan of Italy.
Mazembe qualified to the last qualifying stage of this year’s tournament via a 7-0 goal aggregate against Mochudi Center while Pirates beat Zanaco 3-1 on aggregate to advance.
Mbesuma’s coach Roger De Sa said he was aware of the threat Zambian players posed for his side adding that Pirates would have to use their home advanatge to win the two legged tie.
De Sa said Pirates would ensure they did not concede a goal in the first leg at home on April 20 to have a chance of making it to the group stage.
