Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the off-season of suits and ties are over and it’s now back to overalls and hard work with new ambitions for the 2026/27 season – starting with the MTN8 title.
Pirates are chasing a record extending fifth consecutive MTN8 crown, with Sekhukhune in the way from another final as they face off in the first leg semi-final on Saturday at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
For Ouaddou, it’s his first title as a head coach in South Africa, that holds form memories, as they went on to win the league and the Carling Knockout Cup in his debut campaign with the Buccaneers.
After eight players was part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad with Bafana Bafana and a pre-season camp in Spain, the Moroccan says they under no illusions that it’s back to the proverbial business in domestic action.
“Last season is the past, we did well, I’m not living in the past, I’m living in the present, it’s another season to prove, we had rewards, our families are happy, we are happy,” he said.
“It’s a season with a lot of expectation, we had the time of the suit and tie to be beautiful [in the off-season], now it’s back to the overall, back to work, we have many targets this season.
“There’s a lot of talk around this competition, everyone wants to do well, it won’t be easy as everyone is chasing us now.”
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