Ouaddou addresses Pirates’ tricky Sekhukhune situation

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Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Photo: Philip Maeta/Gallo Images

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Ouaddou addresses Pirates’ tricky Sekhukhune situation

Aug 20, 2026 – 12:45 pm
By Siya Ndlela

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of his side’s gruelling marathon against Sekhukhune United.

This unprecedented trilogy will test the depth of Ouaddou’s squad across two different competitions, beginning with a high-stakes, two-legged semifinal tie in the MTN8 tournament before transitioning into a midweek league clash in the Betway Premiership.

Speaking to reporters at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban following his side’s dominant 3-0 victory over Chippa United on Sunday, the Moroccan tactician remained unfazed by the rare fixture quirk that will see them clash with Babina Noko three consecutive times in a single week.

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“We just have to stick to our principles, our way of playing football. You know we are not too focused on the opponent even when we study the opponent,” said Ouaddou.

“It’s important to give some input and information to the players, but a club like Pirates should focus on how they want to play, how they want to imbalance the opponent, how they want to build and how they want to defend.”

“It’s only our principles that drive and guide us to win games. Whatever the opponent that we are going to play, of course, our analysts will give us some input, but our principles will stay the same.”

The last time the two teams met, the match ended in a frustrating goalless draw, a signal of the strength of the two teams.

READ: ‘He’s a quality player’ – Truter hails Pirates star after Chippa defeat

The frantic three-match series kicks off this in Limpopo in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final showdown at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.