Orlando Pirates welcome reduced travel for African Stars Champions League tie

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says remaining in South Africa for both legs of their next CAF Champions League tie against African Stars is a major benefit as his side balances continental football with a demanding domestic schedule.

The Buccaneers secured their place in the next round with a 3-1 aggregate victory over La Cure Waves of Mauritius. African Stars advanced after drawing 3-3 on aggregate with Gabonese club Mangasport, progressing on the away-goals rule.

African Stars do not have a CAF-approved stadium in Namibia that meets international standards, so they hosted the first round at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. Their meeting with Pirates will therefore not require the South African side to make a long trip outside the country.

Pirates are also managing a busy programme that includes Betway Premiership fixtures and limited recovery time between matches. Ouaddou said avoiding a journey to West Africa would help his players prepare for their next league commitments.

“The good news is we stay in South Africa [for both games], this is good news, not good news because we’re playing that team,” said Ouaddou.

“It’s another game, we have to respect all the opponents. For us to stay here is less kilometres to travel because to get to West Africa, it’s far and you still have to prepare for the league game of the next two, three days.”

The coach said Pirates’ preparations would follow the same process used for their previous matches, with the club’s analysts tasked with studying their Namibian opponents.

“About the preparations, we’re going to continue on how we prepare ourselves. Of course, our analysts department will give us some input and research about that team,” he said.

The technical team will then use that information to shape the training programme and tactical approach for the tie, with a place in the CAF Champions League group stages the objective.

“And then for us as technical staff, we have to design the training and game plan to try and win that game and try to go into the group stages,” added Ouaddou.

Pirates’ coach also stressed that the club would treat African Stars with the same seriousness as every other opponent and would not underestimate the side after its progression against Mangasport.

“That’s how we’re working, we’re respecting every game, we’re not taking easily any games.

“I usually say there’s no more small teams in football because if you don’t prepare well and you underestimate teams, you’ll be surprised.”