“Similar to Morocco Post-World Cup” – Ouaddou Calls for Pirates to Change Course After Last Year’s Disappointment

October 23, 2026 sportnow Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is resolute in his mission to lead the Buccaneers back to the CAF Champions League group stages as they gear up to take on African Stars this Friday evening. The Pirates will welcome the Namibian team to Orlando Amstel Arena for the second leg of their second preliminary-round fixture, having secured a 1-0 aggregate advantage following their away triumph last weekend.

The 47-year-old Moroccan tactician is keen to rectify last season’s disappointment when Pirates narrowly missed the group stages during his debut season, succumbing to Congolese side FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo in the second preliminary round.

Ouaddou has stressed the critical nature of qualifying for the group stages, stating that a club of Pirates’ caliber deserves to compete among Africa’s elite in the continent’s premier club tournament.

“Absolutely, advancing to the group stages is a significant goal for the club. Orlando Pirates are one of the foremost clubs on the continent, a powerhouse in African football,” he expressed.

“In the previous season, we faced a hurdle against Lupopo. This year, we aim to rectify that by returning to the group stages and excelling.

“I am confident that the players are entirely focused and dedicated to this mission. Our partners, supporters, and the entire club community are aligned with this goal.

“On Friday, our players understand the significance of the task ahead: to win the match and secure our spot in the CAF Champions League group stages.

“I mentioned to the players in jest that without Pirates in the Champions League, it’s akin to Morocco not being present at the FIFA World Cup. We need iconic teams in major tournaments.”

The Buccaneers last triumphed in the CAF Champions League in 1995, which remains their only conquest of the continental crown. Ouaddou has highlighted the necessity of achieving a favorable result for their fans.

“We fought hard in Botswana under challenging circumstances, but the players laid it all on the line and returned with a positive outcome,” he noted.

“We can view this as the second half here, and we must succeed in moving on to the next stage. Our preparations have gone well, with the primary focus on the players’ recovery.

“We also conducted two sessions to implement tactical adjustments based on our observations from the initial game and how to exploit their weaknesses.

“The team is prepared to re-enter the Champions League. We must prevail in this second half, and we commit to doing everything necessary to progress for our supporters.

“Last season, qualification was one of our unmet objectives. I believe our fans deserve this competition, thus we will exert ourselves to ensure their happiness.”

With a slender one-goal lead heading into Friday’s clash, Pirates will aim to complete the task at home and advance to the next round in their quest to rejoin the CAF Champions League group stages.