Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has lauded his team’s resilience
and tactical discipline after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Richards Bay
propelled them into the Carling Knockout final.
The Buccaneers grinded out the result in a tense semifinal at Moses Mabhida
Stadium, securing their first League Cup final appearance in four years and
keeping their hopes of a domestic cup double alive, having already clinched
the MTN8 title this season.
True to his pre-match prediction, Ouaddou acknowledged the challenge posed
by a stubborn Richards Bay. “I told you it would be a tough game, and we saw
it,” the Moroccan tactician stated. “In these cup matches, games are won on
small details, and that’s what we did today, especially on the back of
another match just three days prior.”
Facing a compact and aggressive defensive block, Ouaddou praised his players
for their composure. “We had to be patient to find the spaces,” he
explained. “My players were brave, they showed a lot of resilience, and I
have to congratulate them for that.”
The victory capped a highly successful week in Durban for the Soweto giants,
who also secured a league win against Golden Arrows. “The mission was to
take three points and qualify for the final—things we have done,” Ouaddou
said. “It’s a good week for us. I really appreciate the organisation and
tactical discipline. If we continue like this, we can expect great things.”
Despite the early success, the coach remained grounded when asked to assess
his impact. “It’s too soon to summarise my work; I will be judged at the end
of the season,” he insisted. “In this job, you have to be humble. The
ambition is to deliver a good performance every game. For now, let’s stay
humble and keep working.”
With their final place secured, Pirates now turn their focus to league
duties before a December 6th final showdown against Marumo Gallants, where
another trophy awaits in what is rapidly becoming a promising new era under
Ouaddou.
