Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou reveals Pirates’ drive, why Pedersen is still waiting & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news, as Abdeslam Ouaddou opens up on what fuels his side’s ambition, gives a candid update on Sebastian Pedersen’s debut timeline and Sekhukhune United confirm a notable absentee for the MTN8 semi-final first leg.

Ouaddou reveals the mentality driving Pirates

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final first leg against Sekhukhune United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou offered a frank insight into the competitive mindset he demands at the club.

Ouaddou explained that the drive behind the team comes from genuine ambition, suggesting that achieving success sometimes requires real boldness. He noted that the excitement of competing at the highest level stems from the very uncertainty of who will come out on top in any given competition.

The Moroccan-Frenchman has insisted that his squad has fully embraced the pressure of being defending champions, using it as motivation to prove that last season’s silverware success was no fluke.

Pedersen debut wait goes on as coach urges patience

Despite growing anticipation around Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why the 27-year-old is yet to feature for the club since his arrival from Sogndal Fotbal.

Ouaddou pointed to the data that attracted the club to Pedersen in the first place, noting that last season Pirates were the team creating the most chances on the continent, but that their conversion rate was low — and Pedersen was identified as someone who could help solve that problem.

The coach is clear on the quality, though — he said he does not need a month to see that Pedersen is a natural finisher, but that it is equally important the striker is fully fit before being exposed to competitive football.

“The performance department is working closely with him to have him fully ready. And one area that is very important as well and I’m very cautious because I was in that situation. You know, when you travel, when you’re professional football player, and you go into a new environment, in a new country, there is a time of integration,” Ouaddou said as per iDiski Times.

“There is this stress of discovering the environment. You have to eat differently. There is a new environment, so a lot of things change, and it’s not kind of physical. It’s here, it’s mental.

“So these things you have to be careful about and take time to integrate him because we don’t want to risk any injury.”

Mashiloane contract clause rules him out of MTN8 tie

There is a notable subplot heading into Saturday’s clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium — Sekhukhune United will be without one of Orlando Pirates’ own players.

Babina Noko coach Cedric Kaze has confirmed that right-back Tshepo Mashiloane will not be available to face his parent club, as a clause in his loan agreement from Orlando Pirates explicitly prohibits him from playing against the Buccaneers.