Ouaddou optimistic Pirates will turn a corner after Downs MTN8 victory | OneFootball

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Ouaddou confident Bucs will change fortunes after claiming Downs scalp in MTN8 semis

Photo: Orlando Pirates @ X

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his team’s MTN8 semi-final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns will act as a catalyst for the Buccaneers to get their 2025/26 PSL season back on track after a below par start.

While the Soweto giants continued to assert their dominance in the top eight competition, they had a false start to the Betway Premiership campaign. Ouaddou’s men lost to Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants respectively, in their first two league outings.

However, the Sea Robbers redeemed themselves with a narrow win over hoodoo team Stellenbosch FC during their midweek action last week. The victory saw Pirates ascend to 11th-place on the log standings.

Now, with the team keen to translate their cup form into the league, the Moroccan tactician is confident that piping Sundowns to a spot in the MTN8 final will serve as a morale boost as they aim to soar to a familiar territory on the table.

“The pedigree of the team is top, I think this victory [over Sundowns] will build confidence for the boys, it will give them more ambition especially for the next games that are coming,” said Ouaddou at the post-match press conference at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Despite being under fire in the early stages of his tenure, Ouaddou downplayed the achievement of ensuring the Buccaneers reach a fourth successive MTN8 final, stating that his mind is already on devising a strategy for their next game.

“I’m very happy but my mind is on the game of Orbit because it’s like that, we don’t have time to celebrate like that as coaches. As a coach you have to quickly think about the next game, so I’m happy, I’m doing my job, that’s it. I will prepare the game and strategy for the next game,” he added.

Pirates will host newly promoted Orbit College at Orlando Stadium in their fourth Betway Premiership outing of the season on Tuesday (19h30). The rookies will be without the on-loan Bucs trio, including Monnapule Saleng, Yanga Madiba, and Thuso Moleleki as per the loan agreement.