Orlando Pirates' Abdeslam Ouaddou, a former Moroccan captain, to back Bafana at AFCON

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed his unwavering support for South Africa's national team, Bafana Bafana, in a significant display of unity.

Ouaddou, a former Moroccan national team captain who played at the 2004 and 2008 AFCON tournaments, was delighted that nine Pirates players have been included in Hugo Broos' 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in his native country later this month.

The selection not only highlights the Pirates' dedication to nurturing local talent but also reinforces their commitment to the national footballing community. At a recent press conference, Ouaddou could hardly contain his pride at his players making the AFCON squad.

"To be honest, we're very proud as a club, and I'm proud as a coach, to see so many of our players represented," he declared emphatically. "Pirates is a club that works for the nation. We've always supported Bafana Bafana and the national coach."

This sentiment echoes the club's historical ethos, reflecting its consistent fostering of strong links between club football and national representation.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the national call-ups, the coach was quick to emphasise that the Pirates' focus remains firmly on their upcoming challenges.

"We want to wish them all the best, but first we have a target this week (Saturday's Carling Knockout final). After that, of course, we'll wish them good luck for AFCON," he said, illustrating a measured balance between national pride and club responsibilities.

The Buccaneers are preparing for a pivotal clash against Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout on Saturday, a fixture vital to their quest for silverware.

With Ouaddou just six months into his role, his preparations for a second cup final reflect the burgeoning momentum within the squad.

"I want to thank my players, my staff and the club. It's a collective effort. It's still too early to judge anything, but we're aligned with the club's targets and doing our job," he remarked, highlighting the team spirit developing under his leadership.

Ouaddou attributes the early-season success to a cohesive approach among the players, affirming: "We'll keep pushing to reach the club's goals and make our fans proud."

This ambition signals that the club's aspirations reach far beyond immediate victories, aiming to solidify the Pirates' status as a premier football institution.