Gallants Ready to Crush Pirates’ Nedbank Cup Dream

Marumo Gallants head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has issued a bold challenge to Orlando Pirates after the two sides were drawn together in the Nedbank Cup semifinals.

Gallants secured their place in the final four after a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Durban City FC. With the match ending goalless after 120 minutes, Gallants held their nerve to advance, joining Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and the winner of the delayed Mamelodi Sundowns vs Sekhukhune United fixture in the semifinals.

Stopping the Pirates’ Three-Peat

Orlando Pirates, aiming for a third consecutive Nedbank Cup title, will have to get past an ambitious Gallants side. Ouaddou, who guided AS Vita to the CAF Champions League semifinals, is determined to derail the Buccaneers’ ambitions.

“I’d like to stop them from winning three in a row,” Ouaddou said. “But this is football. We will prepare well and give them a hard time, I promise you that.”

Gallants, however, won’t have the home advantage they had hoped for, with the fixture set to take place at Orlando Stadium instead of Bloemfontein.

“My players were disappointed, not about the draw itself, but because they wanted to play at home,” Ouaddou admitted. “But there are no easy games, and we will try to surprise people again like we did when we beat them 2-0 in the league last week.”

Gallants’ Survival Battle Continues

While the Nedbank Cup semifinal is a major focus, Gallants also have their sights set on surviving relegation. The team currently sits 14th in the Betway Premiership, just two points above 15th-placed Magesi FC.

Ouaddou, who replaced Dan Dance Malesela last month, has taken charge of three games, winning two and losing one to Stellenbosch. His immediate task is ensuring the club remains in the top flight.

A Grudge Match in the Making

This will be the third meeting between Pirates and Gallants this season. Pirates humiliated Gallants 8-1 in their first league clash, but Gallants stunned the Buccaneers with a 2-0 victory in their second encounter.