Pirates eye long-awaited Carling Knockout breakthrough as final approaches
Orlando Pirates head into the Carling Knockout final with renewed focus, as Abdeslam Ouaddou (pictured) and Nkosinathi Sibisi outline the team’s belief and determination to end their long trophy drought.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Could this be the year Orlando Pirates finally lift a trophy that has consistently slipped through their fingers?
That question lingered as head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and captain Nkosinathi Sibisi spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s Carling Knockout final in Polokwane. According to IOL Sport’s Matshelane Mamabolo, the mood around the Pirates camp carried the familiar, charged focus that accompanies a cup final. But within that intensity, there was also a sense of calm determination.
A trophy that has stayed out of reach
For all their pedigree, Pirates have gone years without winning this particular competition. Sibisi made no attempt to downplay that reality when he addressed reporters at the Rand Stadium.
“This is the one trophy in the country that has eluded the club for longer,” he said. He added that victory “would be a wonderful gift for our fans,” with another sold-out stadium expected for the match.
His comments underscored both the weight of the occasion and the opportunity in front of Pirates, who enter the final with strong momentum.
Ouaddou keeps the focus narrow
In his first season in charge, Ouaddou has already delivered the MTN8 title and has guided the team to the top of the Betway Premiership table. Yet he kept his reflections measured, choosing not to dwell on personal praise or early success.
“It’s too early to judge this work,” he said. “What I can tell you is that we are aligned with the targets of the club, and we are doing our job.”
That job, this week, leaves no room for divided attention. While Pirates have been managing league fixtures, Ouaddou explained that the final never drifted far from the players’ minds. He said the team carried it “in the corner of our head,” but added that they are now “fully focused… to achieve this important moment for the club.”
A coach at ease with his role
Throughout the press briefing, Ouaddou stayed consistent with the approach that has come to define his early tenure: an emphasis on collective work, tactical clarity and minimal focus on himself.
“I am enjoying being a coach of such good players,” he said. “Every morning when I wake up, I come to work the happiest coach. It’s not an easy position… but I am doing my job with a lot of happiness.”
As Pirates step into the final, the question remains whether this renewed confidence, combined with their recent form, will finally break their long Carling Knockout drought.