Ouaddou Addresses Mounting Pressure Ahead Of Sundowns Clash

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has responded to questions about whether it’s the right time for his team to face Mamelodi Sundowns on the back of two successive defeats, amidst increasing pressure.

The Buccaneers will host the Brazilians in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final at a sold-out Orlando Stadium on Saturday (15:00), with the Moroccan tactician under scrutiny over the club’s performance under his guidance.

Pirates suffered back-to-back league defeats to Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants. This saw the Sea Robbers match a long-standing club record of losing their opening two league outings, which dates back to the 2007/08 season – a display that currently has them in 14th place on the log standings.

While many believe the Sundowns showdown came at the wrong time, with morale and confidence in the Bucs camp expected to be at an all-time low, the former Gallants mentor is optimistic about his side’s chances of overcoming Masandawana.

“It’s a very exciting game for us and the fans, we are only thinking about the game, to play well, to perform, to give our best, and to win that game. Of course, we know that it will not be easy, but it’s our only focus for Saturday,” said Ouaddou.

“When you train such a big club, the pressure is everywhere and we have to transform it into positive pressure and to give our best for our fans, for the club to change things and bring back the happiness and the victories to the club.” 

Despite having a tumultuous start to his tenure at Pirates, Ouaddou appears to have sidelined regular key figures like Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thalente Mbatha, and Deano Van Rooyen, among others, stating that he has a big squad at his disposal and everyone will get a chance in due course.

“It’s very important to understand the size of the squad and what we want to achieve. We have talented players, good players, a big squad, everybody is important for the club, like I said, and everybody will get the opportunity to compete and show what they can do for the club,” he added.

“Lots of new players, of course, we have to integrate them, to allow them to perform and show themselves, but definitely everybody is important for us this season.”