Ouaddou demands respect as Pirates target Lioli decimation

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has fired a passionate demand for respect, calling on his squad to silence critics who have labelled them “overrated” ahead of Saturday’s CAF Champions League tie against Lesotho champions Lioli FC.

Despite holding a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg—thanks to a Tshegofatso Mabasa brace and a goal from Oswin Appollis—Ouaddou insists the battle is far from over and wants a statement victory at the Orlando Stadium fortress, Es’godini.

The French Moroccan, who took the reins at the start of the season, used his pre-match address to rally his players against external noise.

“I cannot accept as a coach that we are insulting my players to say that we are overrated. My players are not overrated,” Ouaddou asserted to the media.

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇-𝐃𝐀𝐘

🏆 #CAFCL 1st Preliminary 2nd Leg
🆚 Lioli Football Club 🇱🇸
🗓️ Saturday,27 September 2025
🏟️ Orlando Stadium
🎟 https://t.co/Lay9EQCfWX
⏰ 15H00
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🌐 @SABCPlus
📻 @LesediFM | @motswedingfm | Ukhozi fm | @Radio2000_ZA
📻 @UWFM88_106FM |… pic.twitter.com/ZdUOp8XwMT

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) September 27, 2025

He leveraged the club’s continental pedigree to drive his point home. “We are Orlando Pirates; one of the best clubs in Africa, one of the best clubs on the continent. Tomorrow, I’m expecting a lot of motivation from my players just to show really the level of Orlando Pirates.”

The former Fulham defender warned against any hint of complacency. Pirates reached the semi-finals last season, and Ouaddou sees the Lioli rematch as the perfect opportunity for “a very, very important redemption” and a chance to please the home faithful.

“I really want my players to show their superiority… My players are good players,” he concluded, setting the stage for a highly charged performance in Soweto.