Ouaddou urges focus as Pirates eye Champions League group stage

ORLANDO Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou wants the Buccaneers to finish the job and move closer to the CAF Champions League group stages.

Pirates host Namibian champions African Stars in the return leg of their second preliminary round at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, 23 October.

The Soweto giants go into the clash with an advantage after beating African Stars in the first leg in Botswana on Saturday, 17 October.

But Ouaddou has warned his players not to take anything for granted.

The Moroccan coach said Pirates must stay focused, show discipline and deliver another strong performance to reach their target.

For Ouaddou, playing in the CAF Champions League is not just another target. It’s something a club of Pirates’ stature must demand.

“It’s really an important objective for us, especially considering last season, when we needed to manage to progress through the stages.

“I said this season that Orlando Pirates are a giant in Africa, and we have to see Pirates in this Champions League.”

Ouaddou said Pirates supporters, partners and stakeholders all expect the Buccaneers to compete on the continent’s biggest club stage.

“The fans, the partners, the stakeholders and the club are waiting for us to come back into this big competition,” he said.

The coach believes his players understand the task.

He said they know what is expected and must give the fans a performance to be proud of.

“Our players are ready. They know the target we have to reach, and we need to play a big game to bring happiness to our supporters and bring Pirates back into this big competition,” he added.

Ouaddou also used a light moment to show how important continental football is to Pirates.

He joked that Pirates missing from the Champions League would be like Morocco missing out on the Fifa World Cup.

His message was clear: big teams must play on big stages.

With home support behind them and a first-leg advantage in the bag, Pirates will be expected to control the tie.

But African Stars will arrive with nothing to lose and everything to fight for.

That means Pirates cannot afford to switch off.

They must protect their advantage, keep their shape and take their chances if they want to move one step closer to the group stages.