Ouaddou Addresses Last Season’s Pirates Heartbreak

Abdeslam Ouaddou during Orlando Pirates training ahead of the CAF Champions League match against African Stars. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou insists there is no nervousness in the camp as the Buccaneers prepare for tonight’s CAF Champions League second preliminary round second-leg clash against African Stars of Namibia.

Speaking to the media at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday, as Pirates finalised their preparations for the encounter, Ouaddou expressed confidence in his players as they look to secure progression to the next round.

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The Buccaneers head into the match with a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Botswana, leaving them with work to do at home.

Pirates will also be mindful of last season’s disappointment, when they were eliminated by FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo at this stage of the competition.

Despite overturning the 3-0 first-leg deficit with a 3-0 victory at Orlando Stadium, Pirates were eliminated on penalties after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

However, Ouaddou has played down any concerns that the previous campaign’s setback could weigh on his players ahead of tonight’s decisive encounter.

“I think it should not be, because the players are ready, they know exactly what they have to do. I think a lot of confidence, a lot of trust, it’s very important,” he told the media.

“We are playing at home in front of our fans. For me, what is the most important thing is to respect the plan and to be united because in this kind of competition we need the whole team to be connected, to row on the same side together to reach the target.

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“There are no nerves, we are impatient to play that game.”

Pirates will be hoping to make home advantage count and avoid a repeat of last season’s elimination as they look to advance to the next round of Africa’s premier club competition.

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