Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler is expecting a tough encounter away to Zamalek in the last Group B game of the African Confederation Cup but he is confident his side can win in Cairo and qualify as the group leaders.

The two teams have already secured a last-four berth with one match to spare after both sides had collected 12 points from five games.

A draw will be enough for Zamalek to advance as the leaders, given their better head-to-head record after they came from behind to beat Pirates 2-1 in Nelspruit two months ago.

“Facing Zamalek is always going to be a difficult challenge but this is who we are, we thrive under difficult conditions," Tinkler told SuperSport Wednesday.

"We have corrected our mistakes from when we played them in the first leg, it was a difficult but necessary lesson from which we have since learnt the importance of playing for the result.

“It is vitally important that we get a win against Zamalek and finish top of the group because we want to secure a home second leg semifinal. It is a tough ask but it’s definitely doable, we have gone there (Egypt, Cairo) in the past and collected a positive result,” the 45-year-old added.

The match will be held at Petro Sport stadium in Cairo on Sunday.

Zamalek's rivals Ahly take on Malian side Stade Malien on Saturday as the defending champions also seek to finish on top of Group A.

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