Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is expecting a tough battle when they come up against Siwelele FC in their Carling Knockout Cup opener on Saturday.

The Buccaneers are set to welcome Siwelele to the Orlando Pirates as both sides look to book their place in the next round of the compeition.

Pirates come into this encounter off the back of a 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday.

Siwelele, meanwhile, enter this encounter after they secured a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday.

“What has happened before, for me, I was not there, so for me, it is to focus on the future and to try and do well with the players,” Ouaddou said as per KickOff.

“We know that it will not be easy.

“Every competition is difficult, and all the teams definitely want to win that competition, which is very important in South Africa.

“So, for us, it is another game and another opportunity for my players to give their best and to try to go through.

“For us, it is an important competition, we take all the games very serious.

“For us, we will put all our ambition, motivation, to try to go to the next stage,” he concluded.