Abdeslam Ouaddou Warns Orlando Pirates Stars Ahead of MTN8 Final Against Mamelodi Sundowns
- Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou addressed the media ahead of Saturday's MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium
- Ouaddou acknowledged that Pirates' four successive MTN8 titles could offer a psychological boost but cautioned that cup finals demand something beyond tactics
- Pirates entered final preparations with limited training time after 12 players returned late from international duty during the FIFA break
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Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has acknowledged that his side's remarkable run of four consecutive MTN8 titles could offer a mental edge heading into Saturday's final, but stressed that past success will have no bearing once they face Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Speaking to the media at Rand Stadium on Wednesday, Ouaddou was measured in his assessment of what the Buccaneers' historic record in the competition is actually worth on the day.
"It's a different game, different era. You have to prepare for it with a lot of ambition and seriousness. These things can help mentally, but the reality will be the match itself and how we attack the match," he said.
**Cup Final Demands a Different Mentality**
Ouaddou drew a clear distinction between performing in a league campaign and delivering in a knockout final, arguing that fighting spirit carries just as much weight as any tactical blueprint.
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"I think it can help us psychologically, but at the end of the day it's two teams 11v11, so you need fighting spirit," the coach said. "Winning a cup final requires more than tactics… sometimes you have to go a little bit deeper and play with a strong heart. There's a big difference between a cup game and a league game."
Pirates enter the final chasing an unprecedented fifth successive MTN8 crown, having dominated the competition in recent seasons. Sundowns, by contrast, last lifted the trophy in 2021 and will be eager to end their rivals' stranglehold on the competition.
**Pirates Disrupted by FIFA Break**
Ouaddou's preparations were further complicated by the international window, which saw 12 Pirates players depart on national team duty. Those players returned only as the final days of preparation were under way, leaving the coaching staff with minimal time to work with a full squad ahead of the fixture.
Sundowns arrive at the final in confident form after claiming the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup, beating Al Ahli Saudi to secure that title. The match is a sell-out, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
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Source: Briefly News
