Abdeslam Ouaddou Issues Warning Why Explaining Why Orlando Pirates Must Win MTN8

• Abdeslam Ouaddou while issue warning to his players outlines Orlando Pirates next goal after knocking out Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8
• The former Marumo Gallants head coach has led the Soweto giants to their fourth successive finals in the competition
• The Sea Robbers will face familiar foe in the final this season with fans sharing their thoughts on it on social media

Orlando Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why it is now compulsory for the Soweto giants to win the MTN8 after knocking out Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final.

The Moroccan tactician was under fire after his team's back-to-back defeats in the Betway Premiership against Sekhukhune United and his former club Marumo Gallants. However, they bounced back with wins against Stellenbosch FC in the league and Sundowns in the MTN8 semis.

The 46-year-old came under serious criticism after the Sea Robbers' slow start in the league this season, with some calling for his sacking.

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Ouaddou sets clear goal after win over Sundowns

Ouaddou has set a clear goal for his team after their win over Miguel Cardoso's men in the MTN8 semi-final clash.

The former Algerian national team assistant coach has insisted that the Buccaneers must win the MTN8 this season if they want to make their victory over Sundowns count.

“We’ve made it to the final, and now we have to win it,” Ouaddou told SABC Sport after the match. “Reaching the final means nothing if you don’t win.”

In Atteridgeville, the Soweto giants proved far more clinical than Mamelodi Sundowns in the penalty shootout, and Ouaddou was quick to dismiss the idea that it came down to luck for his team to secure victory.

“People often say it’s luck, but it’s not,” the Sea Robbers coach added. “We worked hard for this. We spent two or three weeks preparing and practising penalties. It’s part of the job.”

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MTN8 semi-final: Ouaddou confident of Pirates' win against Sundowns in Pretoria

Like last season, Orlando Pirates will face Stellenbosch FC in the final. The Sea Robbers set a new record after defeating the Stellies in the final last term and winning the competition three times in a row. They can extend the record to four this season if they win the final on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

Fans react as Pirates will face Stellenbosch in MTN8 final

Up the Bucs 🏴‍☠️ commented:

"Stellies are catching hands for the second time this season!"

Jay_Dant reacted:

"We are on fire...we come with everything..bulldozing anything that is breaking a BlackMan!"

uMaster_Sandz responded:

"This time we need to beat them convincingly, no need to rob them."

OrlandoTwiterB shared:

"The boring thing about this is they voetsek us to Durban again 😩😭 Give us FNB for a change."

kappilinho said:

"A replay of last season's final. Stellies are doing great work, losing players every major window but still finding quality replacements to chase their own targets. Kudos to @Barker_Stevee and his technical team."

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Cardoso Insists Sundowns Dressing Room United Amid Ribeiro Exit Storm

Tumie_ZAA added:

"I'm waiting for Kaizer Chiefs fans to support Stellenbosch so that we can moer them combined."

Ouaddou explains why Tito was subbed off early

Briefly News also reported that Ouaddou has stated the reason Patrick Maswanganyi was substituted in the first half against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The former Moroccan international took the tactical decision even before the half-time break and it came as a surprise to many.

Source: Briefly News