History not a factor - Abdeslam Ouaddou on MTN8 final

10.10.26 12:00 MTN 8 Cup South Africa

Orlando Pirates

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says they are not banking on past glory in the MTN8 ahead of their humdinger final against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The Buccaneers are gunning for a record-extending fifth consecutive top eight crown, while the Brazilians are in a desperate quest for a first domestic cup title since the 2021/22 campaign.

Pirates pipped Sundowns to the MTN8 title in the 2023/24 season, before eliminating them in the semi-final stage of the competition last term - winning on penalties on both occasions.

Having proved strong for the Tshwane giants in recent cup meetings, Ouaddou insists history won't be a factor, urging the Soweto heavyweights to approach the highly-anticipated decider with no room for error.

“It's a different game, different era, you have to prepare it with a lot of ambition, a lot of seriousness,” said the Bucs mentor, who clinched the MTN8 as his first trophy in charge of Pirates last season.

"Some coaches can change their way to play, maybe they have a different strategy but for us these things can help mentally but the reality will be the matchday.

"What matters is how you attack the match, how you start the match, how you prepare it, and especially how you study the opponent and how you can use the weaknesses of the opponent.

While the 47-year-old tactician acknowledges that past results won't influence the outcome of the looming final, he believes that his troops will have a psychological edge over Miguel Cardoso's men.

“I think it can help them psychologically but the day of the match you have two teams, 11v11, you have to put the fighting spirit, you have to put the heart because the cups is not only at least tactics,” Ouaddou added.

"Sometimes you have to go a little bit deeper and to play with a strong heart to win those kind of games, it's a cup game - it's a bit different from the league games.

Whether Pirates will retain their trophy at the expense of Sundowns remains to be seen, with both teams beaming with confidence thanks to their incredible runs before the FIFA International break.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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