Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou expects a tough test against Milford FC as the Buccaneers begin their Carling Knockout title defence following the round of 16 draw.
Ouaddou welcomed the draw against the KwaZulu-Natal outfit, noting that Milford have lived up to his earlier assessment of their ability to challenge established teams in the Betway Premiership.
Pirates defeated the newly promoted side 2-0 in their opening league encounter, but Milford have since made an encouraging start to life in the top flight.
After eight matches, Milford have collected 12 points from three wins, three draws and two defeats, establishing themselves among the league’s top five teams.
Ouaddou believes their organisation, physical strength and attacking threat make them a dangerous opponent, despite Pirates having home advantage.
Since we played them, they have maintained positive energy. They are well-coached and well-organised, and they have that energy and physical power they brought with them from promotion. They can run, which makes them a difficult team to play against,” Ouaddou said.
“The most important thing is that they can play football and unsettle any team in the PSL. We saw that in the matches they played after facing us.
“For us, the positive is that we will be playing at home, with the support of our 12th man, our fans. We are looking forward to progressing to the next round, but we know it will not be an easy game.”
Pirates enter the competition as defending champions after beating Marumo Gallants 1-0 in last season’s final. They will be determined to retain the trophy as they continue to compete for honours on multiple fronts.
The Buccaneers’ commitments in the CAF Champions League and the domestic league will also test the squad’s depth as the season progresses.
With the Carling Knockout offering another opportunity to secure silverware, Pirates will need to balance their demanding schedule while maintaining the consistency required to advance through the competition.
The clash against Milford is expected to provide a stern test of Ouaddou’s side’s tactical discipline and ability to deliver under pressure in a knockout fixture.