Ouaddou Set Sights On Nedbank Cup Triumph
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has outlined his approach to the Nedbank Cup, confirming that the competition is one of the club’s major targets for the 2025/26 season.
The Soweto giants have already enjoyed a successful campaign, having lifted two trophies so far — the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout Cup — and will now aim to secure a third title by winning the Nedbank Cup for a record 11th time.
Pirates fell short in last season’s Ke Yona Cup final, losing 2–1 to arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs. This time around, they will begin their Nedbank Cup campaign against 2020/21 champions Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Ouaddou made it clear that Pirates will treat the competition with the utmost seriousness and field their strongest possible line-ups as they pursue silverware.
“I would like to tell you that we will approach this competition the same way we have approached all competitions since the beginning of the season,” said Ouaddou.
“Every game we play, we play to win. Every competition we enter, we enter it to win. The Nedbank Cup is a very important target for us.
“We still have time to think about it because we have a Betway Premiership match coming up, but what I can assure you is that this is a competition to be taken seriously, and we will put out our strongest team.
“Let me tell you — we have only strong players.”
Before turning their attention to the Nedbank Cup clash against TTM, Pirates will face AmaZulu in a Betway Premiership encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday. They will then return to the same venue next weekend for their cup fixture.
With momentum on their side and silverware already secured this season, Pirates will be eager to continue their dominance and add another historic trophy to their cabinet.
