La Cure Waves must expect to see the ruthless side of Orlando Pirates when the two teams meet in a crucial CAF Champions League preliminary round second-leg clash at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).
Pirates need to win the game at all costs — whether in regulation time, extra-time, or on penalties — to seal passage to the final round of qualifying after drawing 0-0 with the islanders in the first leg away.
The Sea Robbers find themselves under pressure to avoid a defeat at home after head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou used the first leg as an experimental fixture, handing rare opportunities to youngsters such as defender Cristian Derbyshire.
While that rotation did not yield the ideal outcome on the scoreboard, Ouaddou was still pleased with the performance of his young prospects.
“I have always said that we win as a team. I felt it was a chance for me to give some players an opportunity,” he said during his pre-match press conference in Orlando.
“Last week, some youngsters satisfied me a lot. It means when I need them, I will be able to give them a chance because they are really good.”
That experimentation is unlikely to continue on Saturday afternoon. Ouaddou is expected to return to his tried-and-tested starting line-up, well aware that any mishap would catastrophically see them fail to qualify for the main stage for a second consecutive season.
Prior to the draw in Mauritius, Pirates were lethal in attack, with striking duo Boitumelo Radiopane and Yanela Mbuthuma in fine form. Ouaddou will want nothing more than to see the pair rekindle that lethal touch on home turf.
“On Saturday, it will be another game,” Ouaddou stated. “We need to qualify, so it will be another team – another profile of players who’ll show attacking qualities. We’ve prepared very well and seriously.
“We have reviewed the game many times with the players, focusing on the areas where we lacked consistency. We’ll try to show another face of Pirates tomorrow, but it will definitely be a different game.” | IOL Sport