Ouaddou hungry to build on last season’s impressive run in the CAFCL

The Soweto giants, one of four South African representatives in the CAF inter-club competitions, will discover their opponents in the early stages of the Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup draw at noon today. 

Pirates reached the semifinals in last season’s tournament before falling to eventual champions Pyramids.

 Despite the disappointment, Ouaddou believes the experience has strengthened his squad’s resolve.

"I think we are expecting of course the draw to see where we are going to play. I have to say that we have to take seriously all the games. We know that since a few years, there is not anymore small teams in the continent, so, we have to prepare for that and be ready to play anywhere with consistency, with a lot of ambition, lot of organisation to pass through that round because we want to go far in that competition,” Ouaddou said.

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This season, teams eliminated in the first two rounds of the inter-club competitions will receive $100 000 (R1.78 million), up from $50 000 (R888 000) last season. 

This is to assist with the burgeoning logistical costs. 

Pirates will be joined by Champions League knockout stage regulars and South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who are seeded for this tournament together with record 12-time champions Al Ahly. 

Kaizer Chiefs and last season’s semifinalists, Stellenbosch FC, will take part in the CAF Confederation Cup. 

But Ouaddou says their immediate focus is on their Betway Premiership opening game of the season against Sekhukhune United at Orlando stadium this evening.

"But before that I think there is Sekhukhune, the first and the main important game. I want to be focused on that game because it's very important to start well in the PSL and to keep the team spirit, to keep the ambition, the intensity,” the coach added.

“It will be very important to start well and afterwards we have to focus on that game with my staff and with my analyst department."

Stellies are also seeded in the CAF Confed Cup, and together with Sundowns, they have received a bye in the preliminary stages. 

The draws will consider a lot of factors, from rankings to geographical proximity.