Orlando Pirates midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch says his side cannot afford to drop points against Esperance in their Caf Champions League encounter on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers travelled to Tunis straight after their 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Saturday.

They will now take on the defending champions at El Menzah, after playing out to a goalless draw in the first leg between the two sides at the Orlando Stadium last weekend.

Milutin Sredojevic’s men currently sit joint top of Group B with five points from their first three games in the group stages.

With just three games remaining – one home and two away, Lorch has emphasised the need to return home with at least a draw from this afternoon’s encounter against Esperance.

The 25-year-old, who recently bagged his 10th goal of the season across all competitions, wants his side to walk away with either a win or a draw against the Tunisian side in order to extend their lead at the top of Group B.

‘We played well in the first game, we created a lot of chances, but it just wasn’t our day. I think we should have won by about three goals,’ Lorch told the media.

‘I think the second leg is the same as the game against Chiefs, in the sense that we can’t afford to lose the game – it’s either we win or we draw – because we’re on the same number of points.

‘But it’s going to be a tough game away from home, we just have to go out and be strong and fight.’

Orlando Pirates will take on Esperance at the El Menzah when the two sides square off in their Caf Champions League Group B encounter on Tuesday, with kick-off set for 3pm.