Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made a bold promise to the club’s fans ahead of the blockbuster clash against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8.
Ouaddouo’s troops will welcome Sundowns in Soweto at Orlando Stadium in the first-leg of the MTN8 semi-final on Saturday afternoon, with both teams gunning for a place in the final.
The Buccaneers, who are the defending champions, are coming to the mouth-watering encounter against Masandawana on the back of losing two successive matches in the Betway Premiership.
Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat against Sekhukhune United in their opening match of the 2025/26 season before losing 2-1 against Marumo Gallants a few days later. The unwanted run of form has left the supporters frustrated and questioning the capabilities of the new coach, Ouaddou.
The Moroccan tactician took over the hot seat in the off-season to replace Jose Riveiro, who left Pirates to join Al Ahly.
Ouaddou is under pressure to claim a victory against the Brazilians after facing a lot of backlash for leaving out key players such as Thalente Mbatha, Deano Van Rooyen, and Tshegofatso Mabasa from the matchday squad.
PIRATES COACH VOWS TO BOUNCE BACK AGAINST SUNDOWNS
With fans seemingly losing faith in the former Marumo Gallants mentor, he has vowed to fight to bounce back from the recent setbacks in the league.
“I can understand our fans because they love the club, everywhere in the country and in Africa, they are passionate people and they are the 12th man,” Ouaddou said.
“So in every club in Africa, when you start the way we started, there’ll be disappointments, but we can promise them that we’re going to bounce back.
“We’re going to sweat on our shirts to represent the badge very well in the right way in order to bring them happiness; it’s only the beginning.”
Meanwhile, the Soweto beat Polokwane City FC 2-0 in the quarter-final to book a place in the semi-final of the MTN8.
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