Ouaddou Prioritises Casric Clash Despite Looming Soweto Derby
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou insists his side’s immediate attention is firmly on their Nedbank Cup assignment against Casric Stars, refusing to be distracted by the highly anticipated Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
The Buccaneers will host Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, before turning their focus to their Betway Premiership showdown against Amakhosi at FNB Stadium on 28 February.
The upcoming derby will be the first meeting between the two Soweto giants this season in all competitions, adding further intrigue to an already massive encounter.
However, Ouaddou made it clear that looking beyond the cup fixture would be a sign of disrespect to their lower-division opponents.
“When you have a professional environment, then you have to have a professional mind,” Ouaddou said.
“But let’s say that, for me, the most important thing now is the game against Casric Stars. If I start to think of preparing a game against Kaizer Chiefs, that will be very important as well, but that would be underestimating Casric Stars, and we don’t want that.
“What we want now is to focus on the cup game because the Nedbank Cup is very, very challenging for us. So, we don’t want to mix things, and we are going to prepare for that game against Kaizer Chiefs.”
Pirates head into the cup clash wounded after suffering a Betway Premiership defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night, a match in which striker Evidence Makgopa was absent from the squad.
The Moroccan mentor revealed why Makgopa was not available, and also admitted that the Buccaneers currently face challenges in the attacking department, especially following the loan departures of Tshegofatso Mabasa to Stellenbosch and Sifiso Luthuli to Magesi.
That leaves Makgopa, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Boitumelo Radiopane as the club’s recognised striking options.
“First of all, I have to reveal that Makgopa was not with the team against Sundowns because he was injured and he did not manage to be with the team,” Ouaddou added.
“But of course it is an area (upfront) of concern for me, and we can see that it is an area that we need. When we want to be ambitious, we need to be clinical in front of the goals, and we have to continue working.
“But at the same time, you have to understand that we have a young team with young strikers. So, it is important when you develop the players that they have potential, and you have to be patient with them.
“This is the philosophy of the club, and we accept it, and we want to go quicker, and if you want to do that, then you have to send a scout maybe abroad, but the philosophy of the club is to promote talent in the country.
“I’m sure that there is a lot of talent in South Africa, and we respect that, and sometimes you have to be patient.”
With silverware on the line in the Nedbank Cup and pride at stake in the Soweto Derby, Pirates face a defining period, but Ouaddou’s message remains clear – professionalism demands full focus on the task immediately ahead.
