Ouaddou urges Orlando Pirates to look beyond MTN8 success in final against Sundowns

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the club’s four successive MTN8 titles may provide a psychological boost, but will not be enough to secure victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s final.

Pirates are aiming to become the first team to win the competition five times in a row when the sides meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Ouaddou, however, believes their recent dominance will count for little once the match begins.

“It’s a different game, different era. You have to prepare for it with a lot of ambition and seriousness,” Ouaddou told the media at Rand Stadium on Wednesday.

“These things (referring to winning the last four editions of the MTN8) can help mentally, but the reality will be the match itself and how we attack the match.”

The Buccaneers have won the past four editions of the MTN8 and established themselves as the competition’s leading force in recent seasons.

Ouaddou said that record could help his players’ confidence, but stressed that a final required a different approach to a league fixture.

“I think it can help us psychologically, but at the end of the day it’s two teams 11v11, so you need fighting spirit,” he said.

“Winning a cup final requires more than tactics… sometimes you have to go a little bit deeper and play with a strong heart. There’s a big difference between a cup game and a league game.”

Pirates’ preparations have also been affected by the absence of much of their squad during the FIFA break. Twelve players were away on international duty and only returned as the club’s build-up to the final entered its final stages.

That has left Ouaddou with limited time to work with his complete group before the meeting with Sundowns.

The Brazilians will arrive with confidence after recently winning the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup, following their victory over Al Ahli Saudi.

Mamelodi Sundowns are also seeking to end Pirates’ run of success in the MTN8. Their last triumph in the competition came in 2021.

The final has sold out and will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm on Saturday.