Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou insists there is no nervousness within his squad ahead of tonight’s CAF Champions League second preliminary round second-leg match against African Stars of Namibia.
The Buccaneers host the Namibian side carrying a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg played in Botswana. While the advantage is minimal, Ouaddou remains completely confident in his squad’s ability to complete the job on home turf.
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Overcoming Past Heartbreaks
The upcoming match naturally brings back memories of last season’s heartbreak at this exact stage of the tournament. Last year, the Soweto giants were eliminated by FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo. After losing the first leg 3-0, Pirates staged an impressive comeback by winning the return leg 3-0 at Orlando Stadium. However, they ultimately fell short in the penalty shootout as the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
Despite that painful exit, Ouaddou has played down suggestions that previous disappointments will affect his players tonight. He believes the squad is fully prepared and mentally focused.
“I think it should not be, because the players are ready, they know exactly what they have to do. I think a lot of confidence, a lot of trust, it’s very important,” Ouaddou told the media at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
Focus on Unity and Tactical Discipline
Playing in front of their home supporters gives the South African side a distinct advantage. However, international club competitions always demand high tactical discipline and mental toughness. Ouaddou stressed the need for total concentration throughout the 90 minutes.
“We are playing at home in front of our fans. For me, what is the most important thing is to respect the plan and to be united because in this kind of competition we need the whole team to be connected, to row on the same side together to reach the target,” he added. “There are no nerves, we are impatient to play that game.”
The Buccaneers hope to use their home advantage effectively at Orlando Stadium and avoid any slip-ups against African Stars. A strong performance tonight will secure their spot in the next round of Africa’s premier club competition.
This update was originally reported by soccerladuma.co.za. Stay tuned to bettors.co.za news for the latest updates on South African football and international tournaments.