{"id":23016,"date":"2025-08-15T10:47:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T08:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=23016"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:02:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:02:10","slug":"orlando-pirates-coach-under-pressure-mtn8-semi-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/orlando-pirates-coach-under-pressure-mtn8-semi-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando Pirates Coach Under Pressure Before Sundowns MTN8 Semi-Final Showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The stage is set for one of the most anticipated clashes in this year\u2019s MTN8, but Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will walk out at a sold-out Orlando Stadium on Saturday knowing the stakes have never been higher. The Buccaneers face Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their semi-final, a tie already dubbed the \u201cfinal before the final\u201d, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-contrasting-fortunes-in-midweek-action\">Contrasting Fortunes in Midweek Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both sides enter the contest with very different recent results. Pirates endured another frustrating outing in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday, falling 2-1 to Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein. That defeat followed a loss to Sekhukhune United, marking back-to-back setbacks that have dented the club\u2019s momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In sharp contrast, Sundowns strengthened their position with a composed 2-0 victory over AmaZulu in Pretoria. The Brazilians looked comfortable and confident, showcasing the kind of form that has made them the team to beat in local football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Marumo Gallants v Orlando Pirates | Match in 5 | Betway Premiership\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZC3wFSoZCjo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2418982865\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ouaddou-s-excitement-mixed-with-pressure\">Ouaddou\u2019s Excitement Mixed with Pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite his side\u2019s dip in form, Ouaddou is relishing the chance to go head-to-head with the reigning league champions in front of a packed home crowd. Speaking during an MTN8 media conference at the PSL offices in Parktown, the Moroccan highlighted the significance of the fixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a very exciting moment for the players and the fans. It\u2019s a clash between two of the biggest teams in South Africa and on the continent. We\u2019re happy to play this game and want to give a great show to all the supporters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But Ouaddou did not shy away from the reality of his situation. With Pirates underperforming in the league, he conceded the pressure to deliver is mounting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen you coach such a big club, there\u2019s always pressure,\u201d he admitted. \u201cThe key is to transform that pressure into something positive. We have to bring back victories and make our fans happy again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Under fire Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslma Ouaddou appeals for calm to unhappy Bucs fans ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns showdown in the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MTN8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#MTN8<\/a>.<br><br>\ud83d\udcf9 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSport<\/a>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Velile_Mnyandu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@Velile_Mnyandu<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSportFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSportFootball<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/V3x5teIVEV\">pic.twitter.com\/V3x5teIVEV<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1956004528521654550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 14, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-historical-cup-edge-for-pirates\">Historical Cup Edge for Pirates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While Sundowns have dominated the domestic league in recent seasons, cup competitions between the two sides have often favoured Pirates. The Buccaneers have edged past the Brazilians in several high-stakes knockout matches in recent years, and Ouaddou will be hoping history repeats itself this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That advantage, however, may carry little weight in the eyes of Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who is preparing for his first cup meeting against Pirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2951260325\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cardoso-focused-on-the-present\">Cardoso Focused on the Present<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardoso was quick to dismiss the significance of past encounters, stressing that every cup tie writes its own story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI never look at the past. I live for the present in order to shape the future,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat happened in previous matches won\u2019t count here. Form leading up to this kind of game doesn\u2019t always matter; players can produce a completely different level in big matches like this. That\u2019s what we need to see on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Portuguese tactician has already shown he can adapt and motivate his side for key fixtures, and Sundowns will be eager to take a strong lead into the second leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Greek club AE Kifisia have confirmed the signing of Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Matias Esquivel on loan. Miguel Cardoso explains several factors why the player found it challenging at Chloorkop.<br><br>\ud83d\udcf9 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSport<\/a>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/superjourno?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@superjourno<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSportFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSportFootball<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ds3AkEvPVk\">pic.twitter.com\/Ds3AkEvPVk<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1955995603915149540?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 14, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-high-stakes-battle-awaits\">A High-Stakes Battle Awaits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the Orlando Stadium crowd behind them, Pirates will hope to rediscover their spark and put the visitors under pressure early. For Sundowns, the objective will be to maintain their composure and exploit the gaps left by a Pirates side desperate for a turnaround.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/sport\/soccer\/local-soccer\/pirates-coach-admits-hes-under-pressure-ahead-of-sundowns-tie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">This semi-final<\/a> promises to be a fierce tactical contest, a clash not just of two squads brimming with talent but of two coaches with very different pressures on their shoulders. For Ouaddou, the match could mark a turning point in a challenging start to the season. For Cardoso, it\u2019s an opportunity to underline Sundowns\u2019 dominance and edge closer to yet another trophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/how-orlando-pirates-can-end-sundowns-reign\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Orlando Pirates Can End Sundowns\u2019 Reign at the Top<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The stage is set for one of the most anticipated clashes in this year\u2019s MTN8, but Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will walk out at a sold-out Orlando Stadium on Saturday knowing the stakes have never been higher. The Buccaneers face Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their semi-final, a tie already dubbed the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":23026,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"The stage is set for one of the most anticipated clashes in this year\u2019s MTN8, but Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will walk out at a sold-out Orlando...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[360,10114,273,9773,288],"class_list":{"0":"post-23016","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-mamelodi-sundowns","10":"tag-mtn8","11":"tag-orlando-pirates","12":"tag-psl-2025-26-season","13":"tag-soccer"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23016"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23016\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23029,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23016\/revisions\/23029"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}