'It is a question of mentality!' Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou ready for MTN8 duel against Mamelodi Sundowns - 'Bucs want to go with a lot of ambition'

Defending MTN8 champions are set to battle Mamelodi Sundowns for the final ticket.

The first leg between the teams ended 1-1, meaning Masandawana have an away goal advantage and Bucs must score on Saturday.

The second leg will be staged at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Bucs have not started the season well, winning three of the five games played across all competitions.

Their latest victory was on Wednesday when they beat Stellenbosch by a solitary goal in the Premier Soccer League game that was staged at the Orlando Stadium.

Masandawana present another tough assignment, but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is confident his players will rise to the occasion. 

“A fantastic event again. We had a great game in the first leg — two important teams on the continent," he told the media.

"The two teams played fantastic football in the first leg. We finished 1-1, but you know, in the cup games, sometimes it’s a question of mentality.

“We want to go to that game with a lot of ambition. I think we have the qualities to perform, and we have to be ready for that game," Ouaddou continued.

"We know it will not be easy because we don’t play at home. But we will try to find the resources to pass through, and we have a title to defend. Orlando Pirates were winning this cup, so we will definitely go with a lot of ambition to defend our title. 

"The boys are ready to perform, that’s it," he concluded.

After the most recent win, Ouaddou hopes it is just the beginning of new things for the Soweto giants, who are tipped to challenge Sundowns for the Premier Soccer League crown.

A win will give them a chance to defend their crown and win it for the fourth time in a row.