Orlando Pirates leave nothing to chance ahead of Nedbank Cup clash with TTM
With two trophies already in the cabinet, Abdeslam Ouaddou is challenging his Orlando Pirates squad to achieve what no other PSL side has done: the clean sweep. The journey for the third cup continues this Saturday in the Nedbank Cup against TTM.
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Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made it clear that there will be no room for complacency as the Buccaneers begin their Nedbank Cup campaign against Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Saturday.
The last-32 encounter will be staged at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with Pirates intent on securing safe passage into the round of 16 as they continue a season that has already yielded silverware.
Cup competitions have been a happy hunting ground for the Sea Robbers again in the current campaign.
Under Ouaddou’s guidance, Pirates have already lifted the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout Cup, establishing themselves as one of the most feared knockout specialists in the PSL.
That pedigree has fuelled expectations that the Nedbank Cup could yet become the third piece of silverware added to their cabinet this season.
Beyond cup success, Pirates have also laid down a serious marker in the Betway Premiership.
Sitting top of the standings with 35 points from 15 matches, the Buccaneers are enjoying a level of consistency that has placed them firmly in the title conversation and positioned them as genuine threats to end Mamelodi Sundowns’ long-standing dominance of the league.
Despite facing Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila, who currently compete in the ABC Motsepe League in Limpopo, Ouaddou has stressed that his side will not underestimate their opponents.
Instead, Pirates are expected to field a strong starting line-up as they look to impose themselves early and avoid the pitfalls that often accompany cup ties against lower-division opposition.
“About the game, it will be a very important game for us. We don’t underestimate any team in this competition. We are taking it very seriously; it’s a competition that is important to the club,” said Ouaddou.
The Pirates coach also highlighted the squad’s preparation and mindset ahead of the fixture, revealing that the team has travelled to Durban in numbers to ensure adequate depth and readiness.
“You have seen that we’ve stayed here [in Durban] and we came with 22 players, which means we are taking this competition very seriously and we respect the opponent,” he added.
Ouaddou further emphasised that thorough analysis has gone into preparing for Tshakuma, dismissing any notion that Pirates are heading into the tie blind.
“One thing that is important for us is the chance to play in the same stadium, but it doesn’t guarantee us anything. About the opponent, we know about them,” he explained.
With Pirates eager to atone for last season’s Nedbank Cup final defeat to Kaizer Chiefs, Saturday’s clash represents more than just another fixture.
It is the first step in a campaign the Buccaneers believe could once again end with silverware — provided they take care of business against Tshakuma.