Orlando Pirates Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou Makes CAF Champions League Group Stage Qualification a Major Target
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made it clear that reaching the CAF Champions League group stages is a major priority for the Buccaneers this season as they prepare to face Namibia's African Stars in the qualifying rounds. The Soweto giants are determined to make a strong start to their continental campaign and avoid another early exit from Africa's premier club competition.
After falling short against FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo last season, Pirates have a clear objective to progress further and establish themselves among the continent's leading teams. Ouaddou believes the lessons from that disappointment must guide the squad as they prepare for another demanding qualification campaign.
The opening encounter against African Stars will therefore carry significant importance, with Pirates eager to secure a positive result and strengthen their chances of reaching the group stages. For Orlando Pirates, qualification for the CAF Champions League group stages represents more than simply advancing to the next round.
It would give the club an opportunity to compete against some of Africa's strongest teams while gaining valuable experience in high-pressure continental matches. The group stage also provides a platform for players to demonstrate their quality against different playing styles and tactical approaches.
For a club with Pirates' history and ambitions, regular participation in the latter stages of African competitions remains an important objective. Achieving that goal begins with navigating the qualifying rounds successfully, making the tie against African Stars a crucial early test.
Ouaddou has acknowledged the importance of this season's campaign and the need to learn from last year's disappointment. Pirates were eliminated by FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo in the previous qualification campaign, missing out on a place in the group stages.
That result highlighted how difficult it can be to progress in continental football, where individual moments and performances across two legs can determine a team's fate. The coach believes the experience should help his players approach the new campaign with greater awareness and determination.
Rather than allowing the previous setback to become a distraction, Pirates will need to use it as motivation to deliver stronger performances this time around. Speaking about the club's ambitions, Ouaddou explained that reaching the group stages was an important target for the current season.
"It's important this year to get in the group stages," the Pirates coach said, reflecting on the previous elimination against Lupopo. He added that the team had taken lessons from that experience and understood the importance of securing a good result in the first match.