Orlando Pirates target second continental crown after booking group-stage place

Orlando Pirates target second continental crown after booking group-stage place

The Buccaneers booked their place among Africa's elite with a convincing 4-0 victory over African Stars at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, completing a 5-0 aggregate triumph in the second-round qualifying tie.

The result marks an important step for Pirates, who failed to reach the group stages last season, and Ouaddou was quick to dedicate the achievement to the club's supporters.

"I think it's a big challenge for us, for me as well after what happened last season, after we couldn't reach the group stages; this is a gift for our fans," said the Pirates coach after the match.

Pirates last lifted the continent's premier club competition in 1995, when they won their maiden title. Three decades later, Ouaddou believes there is no reason his current squad cannot write another historic chapter in the club's history.

The coach has urged his players to embrace the challenge, maintain their professionalism and approach the group-stage campaign with the ambition of going all the way.

"Now we have to be ambitious, to try and go far (in the competition). Why not? We have to dream big if you want to achieve something," he added.

"As I said to the guys, let's dream big; can we not bring back the second star if we work hard and remain professional? I think anything is possible in football."

Ouaddou's comments underline the ambition within the Pirates camp as they prepare to test themselves against some of the continent's strongest clubs.

Having negotiated the qualifying rounds successfully, the Soweto giants will now turn their attention to the group-stage draw and the challenge of progressing deeper into the competition.
 

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