Resilient Orlando Pirates set sights on continental glory after MTN8 triumph

Orlando Pirates are slowly blending as a unit, which is why they’ve set their sights on challenging for every trophy up for grabs this season — including the CAF Champions League.

The Buccaneers will begin their Champions League campaign in the first-round preliminary qualifiers at a neutral venue — Toyota Stadium in the Free State — on Saturday. They are expected to win this match, and the tie overall.

The Sea Robbers are high on confidence, having cruised to their fourth successive MTN8 crown after beating Stellenbosch 3–1 at Mbombela Stadium at the weekend. And that’s not all — they also had an impressive continental campaign last season and boast considerable squad depth.

Pirates reached the Champions League semi-finals last term, losing to eventual champions, Pyramids of Egypt.

A lot has happened since then. They’ve replaced coach José Riveiro with Abdeslam Ouaddou, while several players have left the club — including Mohau Nkota, who was one of the cornerstones of the team in last season’s continental run.

Pirates moved swiftly to fill the gaps, signing 11 new players during the winter transfer window to strengthen the team. The newcomers — including Bafana Bafana talisman Oswin Appollis and Sipho Mbule — are slowly finding their feet, having already helped secure the MTN8 title and three successive wins in the Betway Premiership in recent matches.

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine is pleased with how the team is beginning to function like a well-oiled machine under Ouaddou, following a slow league start that included back-to-back losses. That’s why Chaine believes the team can only improve and compete on all fronts — including in continental football.

“It’s a new team, and we’ve assembled 11 new players,” Chaine reflected. “So, for us to come together in such a short space of time is really incredible.

“It says a lot about the type of players we have, and what we can achieve in the future. We have young players who are really eager to do well for a club like Orlando Pirates.”

The Pirates have come together not only on the pitch, but off it as well. Some team members — including Ouaddou, defender Tapelo Xoki, and goalkeeper coach Tyron Damons — rushed to assist someone involved in a car accident following their 3–0 win over Chippa United before the FIFA break.

Unfortunately, their act of kindness ended in tragedy. A vehicle veered into them, causing an accident that resulted in hospitalisation. As a result, Ouaddou coached the MTN8 final with a cast and sling on his right arm.

The Morocco-born coach dedicated the win to his players and technical staff still recovering at home.

Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi echoed the sentiment, insisting the triumph belonged to everyone, as it takes a collective effort to win.

“It’s for everyone — for those with us and those not,” Sibisi said. “For us, it’s a team effort. So, we need to keep going.”

Pirates now need to maintain their momentum on the continent as they chase a second CAF Champions League title — their first since 1995 — and prove that last season’s progress was no fluke.

A confident and competitive Pirates side in Africa would also bode well for Bafana Bafana, who are heading into their final two World Cup qualifiers next month — against Zimbabwe and Rwanda — and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.