Ouaddou Sets Sights On Carling Knockout Glory
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is determined to lead his team to success in the Carling Knockout competition, despite the Buccaneers’ recent struggles in the tournament.
Pirates are set to face Siwelele in the round of 16 match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, and Ouaddou is aware that his team will face a tough opponent.
“This is an important event for the clubs in South Africa, and I think for us, it is an important competition of which we’ll take it very seriously against a very strong opponent,” Ouaddou said.
“I believe that Siwelele is a good team and they will not stay in that position they are in right now in the league.
“So, we’re expecting a very strong opposition, very organised opposition, and for us, we’ll put all our ambition and motivation to try to go to the next stage.”
The Buccaneers have been struggling to win the Carling Knockout competition, having last won it in 2011 as the Telkom Knockout. They beat Bidvest Wits 3-1 in the final that year, but since then, they have been unable to replicate that success.
In fact, Pirates lost in the quarterfinals to Richards Bay in 2023, and in 2024, they lost in the round of 16 to Magesi at home in Orlando Stadium.
Despite their struggles in the Carling Knockout, the Buccaneers have been in good form in the MTN8, Nedbank Cup, and even in the Betway Premiership as they’ve been finishing in position number two.
This season, Pirates is sitting in third position with 15 points in seven games in the league. The Buccaneers are the only team that is unbeaten in their last five games, and Ouaddou is focused on maintaining their consistency in the league.
“To be serious, I won’t say my main focus is on that (winning the league), my focus is to be consistent on what I’m doing in my job,” the Moroccan mentor added.
“I’m coaching a fantastic club, and I have a chance to be surrounded by a lot of South Africans who are doing a very important job. So, we’re just focusing on our job, trying to bring happiness to our fans, trying to give them the results they are expecting, and I’m here for that.”
Ouaddou concluded, “So, I don’t have time to look after everything, but I wake up to give my best to do the best session for my players, to put the best strategy to beat the opponent, and it’s what I’ve been doing every day.”
With their match against Siwelele just around the corner, Ouaddou and his team will be looking to put their recent struggles in the Carling Knockout behind them and make a deep run in the competition.
