Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has hit back at criticism calling his side “overrated” ahead of their CAF Champions League second-leg clash with Lioli FC.
The Buccaneers breezed past Lioli 3-0 at the Free State Stadium last Saturday in the first leg of their first preliminary round tie.
The two sides meet again at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, with the side from Lesotho needing to overcome a significant deficit.
Ouaddou defended his players ahead of the match, calling on them to show their pedigree on Saturday.
“Tomorrow I really want my players to show the superiority, to show the level of Orlando Pirates because I cannot accept, I cannot accept as a coach that we are insulting my players to say that we are overrated. My players are not overrated,” said Ouaddou.
“We are Orlando Pirates, one of the best clubs in Africa, one of the best clubs in the continent and tomorrow I’m expecting a lot of motivation from my players to show, really, the level of Orlando Pirates.
“It’s why I tell you it will not be an easy game for everybody, but I want a very, very important rhythm and very big motivation from my players because I don’t accept that my players are overrated. My players are good players.”
Despite an inconsistent start to the season, the Buccaneers claimed the MTN 8 title for a fourth consecutive season and are on an eight-game unbeaten run.
