Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou admits he is feeling the pressure ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated MTN8 semi-final first-leg clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.
While the Buccaneers started his tenure with a convincing 2-0 quarter-final win over Polokwane City, their recent form has been a cause for concern.
Shaky Start for the Buccaneers
Since that victory, Pirates have stumbled in the Betway Premiership, losing consecutive games to Sekhukhune United (1-0) and Marumo Gallants (2-1).
With only one win in their first three matches, some of the Bucs faithful are already questioning whether Ouaddou is the right person to lead the Soweto giants.
“There’s always pressure when you train such a big club,” Ouaddou said. “Pressure is everywhere, but we have to transform that pressure and make it a positive pressure. We must give our best for our fans. We have to try to bring back the victories and the happiness.”
The Clash of Giants
Despite the recent struggles, the coach expressed excitement about the upcoming match, calling it a “clash of the two biggest teams not only in South Africa, but on the continent as a whole.”
In contrast, Mamelodi Sundowns are riding a wave of confidence. Their recent 2-0 victory against AmaZulu was a commanding performance, with club record signing Arthur Sales earning the Man of the Match award.
The first leg of the MTN8 semi-final kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.