Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why winning the MTN8 title is crucial for his future at the club.
The French-Moroccan coach joined the Buccaneers ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season, replacing Jose Riveiro who left the club at the end of the last season.
He’s guided the team to its fourth straight MTN8 final, where they’ll seek to extend their record winning streak to four consecutive titles.
They take on Stellenbosch at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit this Saturday at 18:00.
In a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Ouaddou said winning the trophy would be important, especially since he is in the early stages of his time with the club.
He added that the club is targeting this title, along with the other major trophies they’re aiming for.
“[Reaching the MTN8 final] is one very important moment in my starting of coaching Orlando Pirates,” said Ouaddou.
“Of course, a lot of people are expecting that game and the club has been winning that competition. [Winning it] is the target for me, for the players and for the club but let me tell you that the club has many targets this season.
“And we cannot only focus on that moment [the final], it’s one moment that is very important but it’s the moment that is such important as the other ones – the league, other cups as well as the [CAF] Champions League. We will try definitely to give our best and make our fans happy.”
The Buccaneers take on Stellies in a repeat of the 2024 final this afternoon at 18h00 at Mbombela Stadium.
