Pirates v Sundowns final is a chance to showcase South African football, says Ouaddou

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Saturday’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns can present South African football to a global audience.

The match at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban kicks off at 6pm, with Pirates seeking a fifth successive MTN8 title.

Ouaddou said the occasion was an opportunity for two champion teams to promote the domestic game, with Pirates the reigning domestic league champions and Sundowns the reigning African champions.

“It’s a good event. We are really excited to play this kind of game again and to defend this title,” Ouaddou said.

“It’s a game between two champions [Pirates are domestic league champions, while Sundowns are African champions], so it’s a fantastic event for the country and for all football lovers. Of course, our aim is just to go into this game with big ambition to show the best face of Pirates and, of course, to give a very good image of football in South Africa.”

The Pirates coach expects the final to attract viewers across the continent and beyond, and wants both sides to produce a match that reflects well on the country’s football.

“This game will be watched all over the continent; let’s say even in the world, so it is important for both teams to give a very good image of South African football,” Ouaddou said.

“I am very excited, and I feel a very good energy from our players. We are playing in Durban … we know it’s a city where we have a lot of support.”

Ouaddou has already guided Pirates to two cup final victories since joining the club in June last year. However, he said success on Saturday would depend on the team maintaining its focus and making the most of limited opportunities.

The 6pm kick-off will bring together two sides with strong recent achievements, but Ouaddou warned that cup finals rarely provide many chances to score.

“Concentration is very important, and it is about when you manage to get chances. In a cup final you will not get so many chances, and you have to convert them,” he said.

“It is how you will be efficient in the two areas of truth, the two boxes.”

He also said Pirates would need to maintain their standards throughout the match rather than producing short periods of quality.

“How can you be efficient in those areas for a long time? Not just for 20 minutes. For that you need organisation, you need discipline, and you need communication.”