Nie Cele
Buoyant Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes playing in front of a packed home crowd at the Orlando Amstel Arena will be a big advantage.
The Bucs gaffer was speaking midweek ahead of their Carling Knockout quarterfinal clash against Sekhukhune United, which takes place this afternoon.
“It’s an advantage for us to play in front of a 12th man for this important fixture,” Ouaddou said. “This will be a very difficult game; I told my players we have to be very careful against a team that is hurt. We have to prepare and hope our fans will give us the power and energy, and it’s something we are happy with. Sekhukhune is a tough opponent.”
The Buccaneers head into this match as the defending Carling Knockout Cup champions, having won the 2025 edition with a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants. Ouaddou also revealed that this is one competition they do not underestimate as a club.
Pressed to elaborate further, he said: “Preparations for this encounter started immediately after last week’s derby match against Chiefs. I told my boys to be careful against the coach who is in charge now. If I remember very well, we had a lot of problems last year when he was at Richards Bay.
“We need motivation, consistency, and good organization to beat Sekhukhune. This coach put us in a lot of trouble last time. He knows his job and he knows what he is doing, so the players will need big motivation.”
Meanwhile, Babina Noko coach Papi Zothwane told journalists it will be a big opportunity for the club to advance to the semifinals.
“Our players are aware we are playing the defending champions, who are in form and hardly lose at the Amstel Arena. Part of our job as coaches is to make the players believe in themselves. It’s a new and different game with new personnel. Preparations have gone well and we are very much ready tactically. It’s a chance to showcase what we are capable of doing, and we know the weaknesses of Orlando Pirates.”
He concluded: “I always say that in cup games, it is about who wants it most. I know we are playing against the defending champions.”
