Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has outlined how his side will approach the Last 32 of the Nedbank Cup against Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
The Soweto giants will lock horns with TTM at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, looking to book a place in the Round of 16.
Pirates have been in a rich vein of form in Cup competitions, having won the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup titles in the current campaign under the guidance of Ouaddou.
The Sea Robbers have established themselves as one of the most feared teams in the PSL, currently sitting at the summit of the Betway Premiership table with 35 points in 15 matches.
Pirates have been touted as hot favourites to end Sundowns’ dominance in the league, which saw them win the title for eight consecutive seasons. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are eager to lift the Nedbank Cup after losing in the final against arch Kaizer Chiefs last season.
With Pirates facing TTM, which is participating in the ABC Motsepe League in Limpopo, Ouaddou has revealed that Pirates will field a strong team on the day to put themselves in a good position to progress to the next round.
OUADDOU VOWS TO FIELD STRONG TEAM AGAINST TTM
“About the game, it will be a very important game for us. We don’t underestimate any team in this competition. We are taking it very seriously; it’s a competition that is important to the club,” Ouaddou said.
“You have seen that we’ve stayed here [in Durban] and we came with 22 players, which means we are taking this competition very seriously and we respect the opponent.
“One thing that is important for us is the chance to play in the same stadium, but it doesn’t guarantee us anything. About the opponent, we know about them. I can’t say we don’t know anything when we are a professional club; we have to get information in order to prepare for the game.
“So we have the maximum information about that team, and what I can guarantee you is that on Saturday we will put the strongest team to start that game.”
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