Orlando Pirates target CAF Champions League group stage, says Ouaddou

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says reaching the CAF Champions League group stages is a major objective for the South African club this season as they prepare to face Namibia’s African Stars on Saturday.

The Buccaneers were eliminated by FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo in last season’s competition and are determined to avoid another early exit as they pursue continental success.

Ouaddou said the disappointment of the previous campaign had provided valuable lessons for his team ahead of their latest qualification challenge.

“It’s important this year to get in the group stages. Last season, unfortunately, we were knocked out by Lupopo, and it’s a big, big, big target this season,” he said.

The coach stressed the importance of securing a positive result at home against African Stars to strengthen Pirates’ chances of progressing to the next round.

“So, we took a lesson from last season. It will be important to come back with a very good result at home in order to get an opportunity to qualify for the second game,” he added.

Preparing for the Namibian side presents a challenge for Pirates, with African Stars yet to begin their domestic league campaign at the time of Ouaddou’s comments.

However, the technical team has begun analysing available footage and gathering information about their opponents.

“It’s difficult, you know, because they didn’t start the league, but at least we’ll be able to have some footage, and we already started to study the team,” Ouaddou said.

“We have some information, and we have to go a little bit deeper tomorrow and after tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Pirates are also preparing to face Milford FC in the Carling competition, with Ouaddou praising the organisers for their efforts to strengthen the relationship between clubs and their supporters.

“It’s always a pleasure. It’s a fantastic competition to play, and I really like the innovation, the fact that they create a sort of bridge between the fans and the club and the competition. I think it’s really a good idea,” he said.

Despite his appreciation for the tournament, Ouaddou expects a difficult contest against Milford, who impressed him during their first meeting of the season.

“If you remember when we played Milford the first game of the season, I said that there are not many teams going to beat them, and they showed it. So, I think they have a lot of confidence,” he said.

The Pirates coach described Milford as a disciplined and well-organised team capable of making life difficult for their opponents.

“It’s a well-coached team, disciplined, very well organised. They can run as well, so it will not be an easy game,” he added.

Ouaddou believes playing in front of their home supporters could give Pirates an advantage, although he warned that his players would need to approach the match with the right mentality.

“About the game, I think the advantage, the positive point, is to play at home. It’s always an advantage in front of our fans, but after it will be a difficult game,” he said.

He added that securing a positive result would be crucial as the club balances its domestic commitments with its ambitions in African football.

“Yeah, it will be very important to come back with a positive result because really it’s a big challenge for us,” Ouaddou said.