Orlando Pirates secured a vital 1-0 victory over Polokwane City in the
Betway Premiership on Wednesday, a result that lifts them to third in the
table. However, the mood at the Orlando Stadium was one of frustration over
missed opportunities rather than pure celebration.
Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised his team’s resilience in securing the
three points but immediately highlighted a critical area for improvement.
“Yes, three important points, it was not easy. I think the guys did well,”
Ouaddou told SuperSport TV. “Polokwane were strong, especially in the second
half… but I have to congratulate the boys because they had strength,
character, personality.”
Despite the positive result, the Buccaneers’ focus quickly shifted to their
inability to finish the game off after creating numerous chances. Ouaddou
stressed that this is a weakness they must urgently address before their
upcoming CAF Champions League fixture.
“We wanted to score more goals; we had the chances to definitely kill the
game,” he admitted. “But it’s an area we have to improve, especially this
Saturday. We need to score goals.”
The need for a clinical touch could not be more urgent. The Soweto giants
face Saint-Éloi Lupopo on Saturday, needing to overturn a 3-0 aggregate
deficit to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
