Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Joseph Kamwendo has thrown his weight behind the Soweto side to lay their hands on the 2022 Confederation Cup trophy after beating Simba to reach the semifinal.

The result against Simba was very important for Pirates as you know they can’t challenge for the domestic league title. They have to fight and take the CAF Confederation Cup. They have shown that they are good team,”

“he said.

Kamwendo said this after Pirates saw off the Tanzanian side 4-3 on post-match penalties on Sunday night in the quarterfinal second leg match in South Africa.

He added: “It is just the issue of consistency in the domestic league that undermines their progress but Pirates is a big team that should be competing domestically and in Africa.”

Kamwendo said Pirates could not be underrated, as they have a solid track-record of winning continental competitions silverware.

“I believe the result of Simba match can motivate Pirates to go all the way and lift the trophy. They have done it before so they can do it again. They have the experience,” he said.

The second leg match on Sunday had ended 1-0 in favour of Pirates courtesy of Kwame Peprah’s second half header in regulation time to bring the tie at 1-1 on aggregate.

Simba had won the quarterfinal first leg 1-0 via Shomari Kapombe’s penalty; hence the post-match penalty tie-breaker.

Pirates won the CAF Champions League in 1995, the CAF Super Cup the following year and reached the 2015 Confederation Cup final.

The Fadlu Davis and Mandla Ncikazi’s men will now date Alhy Tripoli in the last four stage.