Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is calling for a monumental effort from his squad as they attempt a dramatic turnaround to reach the CAF Champions League group stages.
Champions League Deficit
The Buccaneers face an uphill battle in the Second Preliminary Round after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat in the first leg against Congolese Linafoot side Saint Eloi Lupopo.
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The substantial deficit means Pirates must “dig deep” and produce a commanding performance in the return leg this Saturday to avoid an early exit from the continent’s elite competition.
Domestic Confidence
Despite the continental setback, Pirates enter the decisive second leg with strong domestic momentum.
Under Ouaddou’s leadership, the team has already clinched the MTN8 title this season and is currently on a run of six consecutive victories in the Betway Premiership.
Their latest win was a narrow 1-0 victory over Polokwane City.
This impressive league form has lifted the Buccaneers to third place on the Premiership table with 18 points from eight games, positioning them just three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with two crucial games in hand.
This recent success, which contrasts sharply with last season’s run to the Champions League semi-finals under former coach Jose Riveiro, should fuel the team’s belief.
Ouaddou’s Call for Efficiency
Speaking after the Polokwane City match, Ouaddou stressed his belief in his players’ attacking intent and character, despite acknowledging a persistent issue with finishing.
“I have seen great character from my players as they were trying to score goals and go forward,” Ouaddou told IOL. “They were not just protecting the goal… We didn’t have efficiency in the box at times.”
The coach concluded with a hopeful yet clear demand for clinical execution in front of goal, referencing the chances missed in their latest domestic outing: “I hope they kept the five goals they didn’t score [against Polokwane] for Saturday.”
The crucial second leg against Saint-Eloi Lupopo will take place on Saturday, following their mid-week domestic fixture.
The pressure is on for Pirates to channel their domestic winning streak into a historic Champions League comeback.