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Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Waddu commented on his squad building strategy, explaining how he balances maintaining players' physical condition with the club's demands for tournament victories.

The Pirates team defeated Durban City 2-1 thanks to a goal from Gamphani Lungu, who came on as a substitute, allowing them to advance to the semi-finals. Pirates are aiming to win their fifth consecutive title.

Despite significant changes in the squad during the off-season, Waddu faces the challenge of managing the team. He emphasized that some players still need time to gain match fitness and adapt to the demands of professional football, but the coach insists this should not come at the expense of results.

Waddu recalled the pressure he felt at the beginning of his first season when the team suffered a series of defeats. He stated: 'We are not in a circus; we have a professional ecosystem, and there are high expectations. If you want to recall my first two games last season, do you think I was happy having eight bodyguards around me?'

This past experience shaped his approach this season. Waddu made it clear that he intends to select players who, in his opinion, give Pirates the best chance of winning. He noted: 'Of course, I want to win; I will play with the strongest team because the fans want to win this tournament, the club wants to win it, and I want to win it too, and it won't be easy.'

Furthermore, the Pirates coach rejected the idea that players would be given opportunities simply because they needed game time. As competition for starting spots increases, he believes that players' performance in training and preparation will be the deciding factor. Waddu added: 'I will always play with the strongest team, and the people who deserve a starting spot will show it to me in training and preparation. I don't hand out flowers (good signs) to people because when we lose three matches, whose head is on the line?'

Waddu's stance is relevant as Pirates prepares for another demanding campaign on multiple fronts. The team must defend its title in the Betway Premiership while also participating in the CAF Champions League, making squad management critically important throughout the season. However, the immediate tournament remains the priority for now.

Pirates has already overcome the difficult stage against Durban City and will now focus on the semi-final, where Waddu must once again find a balance between maintaining momentum, managing the squad, and leading a team capable of defending its title.

The coach of the club Nacional, João Gian, appealed to the players to show competitive persistence in the upcoming Tuesday match against Santa Clara. This match is the opener of the Portuguese I Liga, which takes place on the Azores islands.

At Nacional, Petit has been in charge since February 2026, who is called 'one of the good coaches of our championship' due to 'good results wherever he goes.' Therefore, a very difficult game is expected against a team that has an 'established idea' from last season.

'Santa Clara,' who remained undefeated in the pre-season, accumulating five wins and two draws, looks in better shape compared to Nacional, which won only one of the seven matches played during the preparatory period.

Nevertheless, the main difficulty is related to the 'complex logistics' of flights to the Azores, which will require an overnight trip on Sunday. Furthermore, there is a limited 'sample for decision-making' regarding the opponent, as preparatory games are often held behind closed doors, which does not allow for an 'accurate picture' of the opposing players.

Gian explained: 'One thing is friendly matches, and another is games with emotional load, which this match will have, in an unfavorable context, especially since it is at the opponent's home ground.'

The 'captain' of Alvinegros also eased tensions regarding the departure of Jesus Ramirez, the team's top scorer last season, who moved to Chorum FC from Turkey, which was 'inevitably expected.' He added that the squad could still be supplemented until registration closes.

He admitted: 'We hope to get a few more players, but I do not want to go into detail about this because the market is very volatile, and these are matters concerning the administration.'

For this match, Gian is unlikely to use José Gomes, who suffered a lower rib injury in the last pre-season match against Marítimo, as well as Ulisses Rosho, who is recovering from surgery on his left ankle.

Nacional and Santa Clara, both playing in the national football elite for the third consecutive season, will meet on Tuesday, in the opening round of the championship, at the São Miguel stadium in Ponta Delgada, at 19:15 local time (20:15 Lisbon time), under the refereeing of Hélder Carvalho from the Santarém association.