Hon Speaker, it is with immense pride that I congratulate Orlando Pirates for reaching the Confederation of African Football Champions League finals that will start this upcoming weekend in Orlando. All of us, whether football enthusiasts, rugby die-hards or cricket pundits, must celebrate this great achievement of one of the iconic football clubs of our football-obsessed country.
Although Orlando Pirates held Esperance to a goalless draw at the Orlando Stadium two weeks earlier and followed this up with a one-one draw against Esperance in Tunisia in their semi-final second leg encounter, it was enough for Pirates on the basis of the away-goals rule. The players, and the coaching and technical staff, as well as the management and stalwart Pirates supporters, all deserve to be congratulated. It was a collective exercise, with each party playing its part.
Let us recall that it was the Buccaneers who, no more than a year after we achieved our democracy, thrilled the nation by winning the Champions League trophy. No other South African team has achieved this feat. Cope believes, as I do - and certainly all other parties believe this equally - that the Buccaneers will play beautifully this coming weekend and in Egypt, and repeat the success of their earlier campaign in 1995. It is time to shine internationally.
In order for the Buccaneers to do really well, you, hon Speaker, as well as all of us in the National Assembly, should join together to wish them well and throw our full support behind them. They must know that they are playing for all of us and what they achieve is for their glory as well as ours. Go, Buccaneers! Go! I thank you. [Applause.]