Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has opened up about striking a balance between entering history books and the harsh reality of chasing a sensational comeback in a CAF Champions League tie.
The Buccaneers are bidding to end a 30-year wait to lift Africa’s elite club trophy, but face a daunting task of beating FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo by a 4-0 margin on Saturday.
They host the Congolese side at Orlando Stadium in this second preliminary round, second leg match. It is a mammoth task for Ouaddou and his men, who suffered a 3-0 defeat away in Lubumbashi in the first leg.
Since being crowned African champions in 1995, the Buccaneers have struggled to replicate that feat, with various coaches attempting but without success. But now, Ouaddou is trying to ensure that the weight of making history will not break his team as they bid to overturn the huge deficit against FC Lupopo.
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“I think we have the opportunity to be in history because to come back with three goals is something that is possible in football,” Ouaddou responded to FARPost.
“Our teams were able to score many goals before. Our players showed it in the last years to be able to score eight or seven goals against some teams. It’s possible, nothing is impossible. We strongly believe it’s an opportunity for us to make history. So, we are definitely motivated and focused on the game tomorrow.”
The former Morocco defender is drawing inspiration from their MTN8 late heroics when a three-goal blitz against Stellenbosch FC handed them their first piece of silverware this season.
That gives the ex-Fulham centre-back confidence that the FC Lupopo tie could swing dramatically in their favour.
“I’ve just remembered that a few weeks ago, in 15 minutes in the final of the MTN8, we were able to score three goals. So, in 90 minutes, we have a lot of time to come back,” said Ouaddou.
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