Ouaddou warns small Old Peter Mokoka pitch will test Pirates in MTN8

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes the Old Peter Mokoka Stadium will add to the difficulty of Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final first leg against Sekhukhune United. Pirates will begin the tie away from home before playing the return match at their own ground.

The match is being moved to the Old Peter Mokoka Stadium while the New Peter Mokoka Stadium undergoes pitch rehabilitation. Ouaddou sees the alternative venue as a significant factor because its playing surface is smaller and uneven, conditions that have caused Pirates problems on previous visits.

The coach also pointed to Sekhukhune’s quality and Pirates’ record in meetings between the teams. He expects another demanding contest, particularly with the first leg taking place in Polokwane and the semi-final requiring the teams to face each other twice.

Pirates are chasing a fifth consecutive MTN8 title after winning the competition four times in a row. Another final appearance would keep that run alive, but Ouaddou wants his players to approach the away match carefully rather than treating it as a one-game tie.

Sekhukhune are seeking their first MTN8 final since gaining promotion to the top flight. The two clubs will also meet in a league fixture on Tuesday, between Saturday’s semi-final opener and the second leg the following Saturday.

Ouaddou said Pirates’ immediate attention is on the cup tie, with the league meeting to be handled later. His plan is for the team to pursue a positive result in the first leg while remaining aware that another semi-final match will be played at home. The sequence of fixtures means Pirates must manage the tie with discipline, especially on a surface the coach considers difficult.