Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has outlined how he will help his “young team” withstand the pressure of participating in the CAF Champions League group phase.
The Buccaneers will be the Betway Premiership‘s only representative in the Champions League group stage following the exit of the continental title holders Mamelodi Sundowns. After failing to reach the mini-league phase last season, Pirates have this time around made it as Ouaddou avoided another setback in Africa.
In securing passage to the group stage, the Buccaneers first got past Mauritian champions La Cure Waves SC in the first preliminary round. Then they posted a 5-0 second preliminary round aggregate victory over African Stars from Namibia.
After a 1-0 away win, they then finished off African Stars in emphatic fashion after prevailing 4-0 in the second leg on Friday. Now, expectations are high on Ouaddou to guide Pirates to continental glory for the first time since 1995.
Heightening the expectations is that the Buccaneers’ rivals Sundowns were crowned continental champions last season. Also, Eric Tinkler set a benchmark for his successors when he led Pirates to the Champions League final in 2013, although they lost to Al Ahly in the decider.
Ouaddou’s predecessor Jose Riveiro then had his campaign end in the semi-finals in the 2024/25 season as Pirates lost to eventual champions Pyramids FC.
OUADDOU ON PREPARING HIS PIRATES PLAYERS TO GO AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Now with a squad mostly of players who are inexperienced in the Champions League, Ouaddou is expected to outplay seasoned campaigners on the continent. Regulars like Simphiwe Masilela, Thapelo Mokobodi, Simphiwe Selepe, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Lebone Seema and Yanela Mbuthuma have limited experience in Africa.
“For us, it’s very important to get through these stages. A lot of huge expectations from our fans. We know that last season we failed to go through the stages with the penalties [against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo] here,” Ouaddou told the media after hosting African Stars at Orlando Amstel Arena.
“For me, it’s a big opportunity to bring this young team to the stage and to walk with them and give them confidence, improve them, to give them experience to taste this kind of competition
“We are going to play in some countries where there are a lot of expectations and a lot of pressure. So, for us it will be important to manage these kinds of games.”
OUADDOU NOW A SATISFIED MAN AFTER MAKGOPA RETURN
Pirates have qualified for the group stage at a time when all strikers are available for selection following the return of Evidence Makgopa from a long-term injury. The Bafana Bafana striker grabbed a brace and an assist against African Stars in Soweto.
“For me, it’s an area [strikeforce] where I want efficiency. Now I have [Boitumelo Radiopane] Radio, [Yanela] Mbuthuma, [Sebastian] Pedersen, [Sifiso] Luthuli,” Ouaddou said.
“Everybody is scoring, so it’s very good news for us because to get to the group stage will allow me to rotate and give opportunities to all the players. I have won one more player in Evidence.”
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