Marumo Gallants confident of another Pirates upset

Bahlabane ba Ntwa are the only team in the last four from outside Gauteng, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs fighting for the other place in the final.

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The Moroccan coach has guided the Free State outfit to some positive results in recent games, which has helped their course to try and avoid relegation this season.

Ouaddou also has a chance to reach a cup final in just two months at the club.

''It's a big challenge for us, but we know that we had a great performance a few weeks ago. But it is another game and we are prepared for that. We go there with an ambition to go through. When teams get to the semi-finals, then there are no more small teams, everybody has to respect every team,'' said  Ouaddou.

Gallants are one of only four teams to have beaten Pirates in the league so far this season, and may fancy themselves against the Buccaneers yet again.

The coach has admitted that this will be a tall order and states that they're determined to go all the way in this competition.

''It is a big challenge, it won't be easy - every weekend comes with a big challenge. For us this is a final, before the big final, we have a lot to play for,'' added  Ouaddou.

Ouaddou’s charges come into the match against Pirates as the more rested of the two teams, having last played a match last week Saturday against Supersport United.

Their opponents, on the other hand, were in action just two days ago in a taxing CAF Champions League quarter-final match against MC Alger.

But the coach believes the double defending champions have enough fire power within their ranks to deal with the quick turnaround.

''I don't take too muchof  these factors into consideration. The  kind of team that we are playing here, they play three games in 10 days and they are fit. I think we will have a very strong opponent, but I told my players that teams in Gauteng already have trophies, so for a change we need to bring this trophy to Bloemfontein,'' he expressed.

Gallants have leveraged on the passionate football fans in Bloemfontein since their arrival in the City of Roses, and have relied a lot on their lively support.

With this weekend's trip to Soweto, they look to counter the Pirates faithful at Orlando Stadium.

By Benjamin Leshoro