CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Smiso Msomi|Published
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has warned his team against complacency despite securing a valuable 1-0 away victory over African Stars in their CAF Champions League second preliminary-round first leg on Saturday.
Tshepang Moremi scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute to give the Buccaneers an advantage ahead of next Friday’s return leg at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
However, Ouaddou insists Pirates are only halfway towards achieving their objective of reaching the group stages and cannot afford to underestimate their opponents in South Africa.
“I think we have succeeded the first half of the two games and we still have the second half in South Africa,” he said.
The Pirates coach was equally clear that the result does not mean his side are already assured of progressing to the next stage.
“I cannot say we have one foot in the group stages, we still have an important second half there and we will have to prepare this to qualify for the group stages.
“It’s an important target for the club, the technical team and the players so we’ll rest and prepare well so we can start that game to win it.”
Pirates travelled to the first leg determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s disappointment, when they were eliminated at the same stage of the competition.
Ouaddou made three changes to the side that defeated TS Galaxy in midweek, with midfielder Thalente Mbatha among those introduced to the starting line-up. Oswin Appollis, who has been struggling with an injury, was named on the bench.
The match remained finely balanced before Moremi’s late intervention gave Pirates the breakthrough they needed.
His goal could prove crucial, but the Buccaneers will still need to negotiate the return fixture carefully, with African Stars having an opportunity to overturn the deficit.
Pirates will now turn their attention to next Friday’s encounter at the Orlando Amstel Arena, where they will look to complete the job in front of their supporters.
For Ouaddou, the message is clear: the away victory is an important first step, but qualification must still be earned over the full 180 minutes.