Pirates ‘focused, hungry’ to end Carling Knockout Cup drought

THERE is a familiar, almost ritualistic intensity that envelopes a camp preparing for a cup final. For Orlando Pirates, that intensity was unmistakable as head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and captain Nkosinathi Sibisi addressed the media ahead of Saturday's Carling Knockout final in Polokwane.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO-

And yet, beneath the controlled tension, there was a notable measure of confidence - perhaps even quiet conviction — that this could finally be the year the Buccaneers end their drought in the competition.

Pirates, despite their rich history, have curiously failed to lay hands on this particular trophy for years.

“This is the one trophy in the country that has eluded the club for longer,’ Sibisi admitted, adding that victory on Saturday “would be a wonderful gift for our fans’, especially with yet another sold-out stadium expected for the final.

Ouaddou, in his first season at the helm, has guided Pirates to MTN8 glory already and has the club currently sitting atop the Betway Premiership table. Yet the Moroccan remains measured about personal praise. “It's too early to judge this work,” he said. “What I can tell you is that we are aligned with the targets of the club, and we are doing our job”

That job, this week, is singular: win the Carling Knockout Cup.