ORLANDO, South Africa — Abdeslam Ouaddou laid down the law to his Orlando Pirates squad Thursday. The coach wants no slip-ups against Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup last-32 tie at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Casric Stars sit fourth or fifth in the First Division table. They have netted 20 goals this season while shipping just 15. Ouaddou rattled off those numbers to drive home his point. Cup games breed surprises, he said. Lower-league teams often rise to the occasion.

“We know that Casric Stars is a very competitive team, playing in the First Division championship,” Ouaddou told reporters. “They have demonstrated their capabilities this season.”

Pirates hold a strong position in the Premier Soccer League. Still, Ouaddou eyes a deep run in the knockout competition. The Buccaneers last lifted the Nedbank Cup in 2011. Progress here would boost morale before the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on February 26.

Ouaddou took charge of Pirates last month. The Moroccan defender brings experience from stints at Fulham, Olympiacos and Valenciennes. He replaced Jose Riveiro, who departed after a trophy-laden spell. Pirates sit second in the PSL, five points behind Mamelodi Sundowns.

Casric Stars punched above their weight to reach this stage. They stunned National First Division rivals University of Pretoria in the previous round. Coach Martin Nkosi has his side firing on all cylinders. A win over Pirates would etch their name in folklore.

Ouaddou rotated his lineup heavily in the league last weekend. A 1-0 victory over SuperSport United kept the pressure on leaders Sundowns. Now, he must balance cup ambitions with derby preparations. Injuries to key men like Patrick Maswanganyi could force more changes.

Pirates fans pack Orlando Stadium each match day. The atmosphere crackles with expectation. Ouaddou knows a stumble against Casric would draw fierce criticism. “The stakes are high,” he acknowledged. Every opponent deserves respect in knockout football.

Casric Stars hail from the Vaal Triangle. They average solid crowds at their Athlone Stadium home. This trip to Soweto represents their biggest stage yet. Ouaddou praised their organization and hunger. Pirates trained lightly this week, honing set pieces and defensive shape.

The Nedbank Cup offers R2 million to the winners, plus national prestige. Pirates crave silverware across competitions. Ouaddou’s message rang clear: treat Casric Stars as equals for 90 minutes. Victory unlocks a last-16 draw next month.

Kaizer Chiefs lurk in the shadows. Their derby form has faltered lately. Pirates hold the upper hand historically. First, though, comes the immediate test. Ouaddou’s squad reports no fresh injury concerns. Kickoff stands at 3 p.m. local time.