Ouaddou warns of growing challenge as Pirates face Sekhukhune three times

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side must be ready for an increasingly difficult test when they face Sekhukhune United three times in the space of eight days.

The two teams begin their sequence of fixtures in the MTN8 semi-final first leg at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

They will meet again in a Betway Premiership match on Tuesday before completing the trilogy in the MTN8 semi-final second leg next Saturday.

Pirates will aim to win all three encounters, with Ouaddou stressing that victory is always the objective for the Sea Robbers. However, he recognises that repeatedly facing the same opponent presents a particular tactical challenge.

With each match, both teams will have another opportunity to analyse the other side, identify weaknesses and prepare ways to counter their opponents. Ouaddou believes that process will make the second and third meetings harder to negotiate.

“We don’t have to jump the steps, we just have to feel for this game, MTN8 to prepare well, away, Polokwane, how we want to attack, how we want to imbalance that opponent, how we want to defend against that opponent,” said Ouaddou.

The coach said Pirates must focus first on the opening cup encounter rather than looking too far ahead to the following fixtures.

“And to give our best to bring the best result because we still have one game. And after it will be time to focus for the league.

“But let me tell you that when you are playing for Pirates, or when you are working for Pirates, the target is to play three games and you have to win three games in a row which will not be easy.

“If you play the team three times, they have to study you, they are trying to find how they can counter you. The things are difficult. But we will try to give our best to take results in these three games.”

The first meeting will be played in Polokwane, with Pirates preparing to approach the away leg by working out how best to attack Sekhukhune United, unsettle their defensive shape and deal with their threat.

Ouaddou’s comments underline the importance of taking the fixture schedule one match at a time. Although Pirates want maximum results across the three games, the immediate priority is the MTN8 semi-final first leg.

The teams will then have to adjust quickly for their Betway Premiership encounter on Tuesday, before returning to the MTN8 semi-final the following Saturday.

That repeated exposure could leave little room for surprise, as each side attempts to use what it has learned from the previous meeting. For Pirates, the challenge will be to maintain their competitive edge while finding effective solutions against an opponent they will see three times in quick succession.

Ouaddou accepts the task will not be straightforward but insists his team will give its best in pursuit of positive results throughout the demanding run of fixtures.