Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has wasted no time in setting a clear and ambitious target for his team, declaring that winning the MTN8 is a non-negotiable mission.
This bold statement comes on the heels of the Buccaneers’ hard-fought 2-0 victory over Polokwane City in the quarterfinal, a match that secured their place in the semifinals.
Played in front of a passionate, sold-out crowd at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the win was a perfect start to the new season.
The goals that sealed the victory were provided by a memorable debut from Oswin Appollis, who opened the scoring against his former team, and a well-taken penalty from Patrick Maswanganyi. In his post-match interview, Ouaddou expressed immense pride in his team's performance.
He revealed that their strategy was to “play with high intensity from the beginning of the game to put pressure on [Polokwane],” a plan his players executed flawlessly.
However, despite the win, the French-Moroccan coach remains a pragmatist. “There’s still some things to improve, not everything was perfect but at least I’m happy about our first game,” he said.
He recognises that while the win was a crucial first step, there is still plenty of room for improvement as they settle into the new season.
This blend of satisfaction and cautious optimism is balanced by an unwavering commitment to success. The coach was clear that for a club of this stature, winning is the only option.
‘WE HAVE TO WIN MTN8’
“When you are Orlando Pirates, winning every cup [is a target],” he stated, adding that the MTN8 “will not be easy, but we will give our best to try to win it.”
With the Sea Robbers aiming for a historic fourth consecutive title, Ouaddou’s words are not just a statement—they are a declaration of intent for the season ahead.
