Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says he understands why they will be facing Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.
Ouaddou has led Pirates to a record 11 consecutive home wins this season, but they will now be home away from home as they move from the fortress that is the Orlando Amstel Arena, to the Calabash for Wednesday evening’s showdown against Masandawana.
Pirates hold a six-point lead at the summit and as they chase their first league title since the 2011/12 campaign, having finished runners-up to Sundowns for the last three consecutive seasons.
“It’s the choice of the club and authorities, I told you that is Clasico, it could be 80 to 90000 people, so in terms of security, it’s normal that it’s in a bigger stadium,” Ouaddou said.
“Look it’s an interesting one… for me, a field is a field, as long as the grass is green and respect the norm of FIFA – if we have good pitch, wide pitch, we’re at home everywhere in South Africa. For me it will be fantastic to play such games, in front of these fantastic fans of South Africa.
“Yes, there’s rivalry between the fans but it’s the first time I see peace between the rivalries of fans in the stadium, making jokes, no violence, only joy – it’s a fantastic image, I have never seen anywhere else, it’s a good thing we play in that fantastic stadium.
“To give the opportunity of lovers of football to attend such a game, the clubs and league did a good choice, but a stadium is a stadium. Our players, it will be a joy for them to play in front of so many people.”
Club captain Sibisi echoed that it won’t be something they lose sleep over; “We would have loved to play at the Amstel Arena but at the end of the day it’s 11 v 11 and we take the game as it comes.
“On Wednesday all will not be lost and all will not be one, there will be 12-13 games to go, we take the game as it comes, there’s no pressure to put on ourselves, we have done well thus far, and we just need to keep on going.”
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