Orlando Pirates handed home draw against Milford in Carling Knockout

Orlando Pirates will host Milford in the Carling Knockout Cup last 16 after Wednesday’s draw, a prospect that pleased head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

The two sides have already met this season, with the Buccaneers winning 2-0 in their opening Betway Premiership fixture. Ouaddou, however, expects a much tougher contest when Milford visit.

“The advantage or positive point is to play at home,” Ouaddou said after the draw.

“It’s always an advantage to play in front of our fans. But after all, it will be a difficult game.

“You will remember when we played Milford in the first game of the season, I said not many teams will beat them.

“I think they have a lot of confidence, it’s a well-coached team, they are disciplined, very well organised, they can run as well. So, it will not be an easy game.”

The tie gives Orlando Pirates another opportunity to challenge for silverware after their defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final this past weekend.

The Buccaneers are now targeting the Carling Knockout Cup as a potential route to their first trophy of the season, while Ouaddou warned that Milford’s organisation and discipline could make the last-16 match difficult despite Orlando Pirates’ earlier victory.