Ouaddou names Pirates and Sundowns as South Africa’s strongest teams

Abdeslam Ouaddou has described Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns as the strongest and most successful teams in the Premier Soccer League, while also acknowledging Kaizer Chiefs’ status as one of the country’s major clubs.

Pirates and Sundowns will meet in the MTN8 final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night, with both sides pursuing significant milestones in the competition.

Pirates are aiming for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Wafa Wafa title. Sundowns, meanwhile, are seeking only their second MTN8 triumph since the tournament was rebranded in 2008, while also attempting to end their barren run in domestic cup competitions.

Preparations for the final have been disrupted for both teams over the past two weeks, with several important players away on international duty. Pirates and Sundowns provide much of the Bafana Bafana squad, although the national team’s players have not all been available to their clubs ahead of the Durban showpiece.

Ouaddou, however, believes those who remained with Pirates have approached the occasion with the required focus and commitment.

“It’s a good event (to be a part of). We are really excited to play, again, this kind of game and to defend this title. We had around two weeks to prepare for this game,” he said.

“We missed some of our international players, like many teams. But at least the rhythm and focus has been on this game, especially because of the fantastic event that we are going to be playing in – in Durban. It’s a city where we have a lot of support.”

That support was reflected in the demand for tickets. All available tickets were sold within seven hours of going on sale, despite technical problems affecting the website after sales opened.

The final brings together two clubs who have emerged as the leading forces in South African domestic football. Pirates and Sundowns have regularly occupied the top two positions in the league in recent seasons, and currently hold those places again this campaign.

The meeting between Orlando Pirates defender Lebone Seema and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Marcelo Allende will be another chapter in an increasingly familiar contest.

“This is a game between two champions, it’s a fantastic event for the country and all the lovers of football,” Ouaddou added.

“Our aim is to go to that game with a big ambition, willing to do well, show the best face of Pirates and give a good image of football in South Africa.”

He expects both teams to enter the final in a positive frame of mind after strong performances before the Fifa break.

“The two teams will come with a good mindset. This is a good timing (to be playing this game), for them and us. The two teams were doing well before the Fifa break,” Ouaddou said.

“Hopefully we will have a good game, from the two best teams in the country. You can add Kaizer Chiefs as well (to that big team bracket). But these are the two strongest teams, two champion teams.”