Abdeslam Ouaddou eyes comeback as Orlando Pirates chase CAF Champions League redemption

Abdeslam Ouaddou is set to take charge of one of his most defining games of the season, and he hopes his troops will be equal to the task — and score goals.

Pirates have been the most active team in the top flight since the start of the season. As such, they’ve already appeased the Ghosts by winning the first trophy of the campaign — the MTN8 — which was the club’s record-extending fourth in all competitions.

But for all their early success, Pirates have bigger fish to fry: the Betway Premiership and the CAF Champions League. They’ve impressed in the league so far, winning their last six games, including a 1–0 victory over Polokwane City at home on Wednesday night.

They are caught between a rock and a hard place on the continent, though. After cruising to the second and final round of the preliminary qualifiers, Pirates stuttered in the first leg away to Saint Eloi Lupopo last Sunday, losing 3–0.

That’s why they face a mammoth task of overturning the deficit at home at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off). Failure to do so would mean they’ll miss out on the group stage and lose the chance to build on last season's semi-final run under coach José Riveiro.

Ouaddou, though, cut a realistic figure when discussing his team’s chances of getting the job done in front of the Ghosts on Saturday, especially after struggling to score against Rise and Shine.

“I have seen great character from my players as they were trying to score goals and go forward,” Ouaddou said.

“They were not just protecting the goal. We have seen in many games that we were trying to go all out, but we didn’t have efficiency in the box at times.

“But let’s say, I hope they kept the five goals they didn’t score (against Polokwane) for Saturday.”

Ouaddou knows the importance of the clash against the DRC-based side, as it could either make or break his Pirates career — now or in the near future. That’s why he didn’t take any chances against City, resting talisman Thalente Mbatha and Sipho Mbule.

Mbatha was on the bench against City, while Mbule, alongside Tshegofatso Mabasa, were notable absentees from the matchday squad.

He didn’t stop there in trying to have his best players available for the clash, pulling off striker Evidence Makgopa and the night’s sole goalscorer, Tshepang Moremi, 25 minutes before stoppage time.

“Yes, it was important to give a chance to all the players. It was the right moment. We are playing in many competitions, and of course, we respect all the teams,” Ouaddou said. “We put in all the players who are fit and able to respond to my expectations.

“We knew it was not going to be an easy match, and the guys gave their best. They played well. But at the same time, we had Saturday’s game in the back of our minds. It was normal that we had a turnover of players.

“I’m happy with the players who played; they did well. It showed that we have a good squad. We are winning games with 11 players, but the competition is within the group.”

After beating City — albeit not at their best or most clinical — Ouaddou reiterated that it was everyone’s responsibility to bounce back from the loss in the DRC and take a huge morale boost into the must-win second leg clash in Orlando.

“It’s our job, and that of a football player, when you are playing for such a big club and playing every three days,” Ouaddou said. “You need to evaluate yourself — that’s what gives you the opportunity to improve.

“Firstly, we give confidence to the guys that we still have the same qualities, and that’s what they showed. They knew it was a crucial game today as well. We wanted to climb to the top of the log.

“We need to keep going forward. We know that we have some games in hand, and sometimes it’s not easy to win them. We just have to keep going like that.”