Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his side missed a crucial opportunity during their MTN8 final defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers lost 2-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night. Consequently, their dream of winning the competition for a fifth consecutive time ended.
Pirates struggled during the opening stages before conceding early from a set-piece. However, Ouaddou believes the penalty incident later offered his team a chance to change the outcome.
Ouaddou Identifies Pirates’ Missed Opportunity
Speaking after the match, Ouaddou admitted that Pirates lacked aggression during the opening 10 minutes. He also explained how the early setback forced his players to adjust their approach.
“First of all, we started the game, I think, a little bit shy with the lack of maybe aggressiveness the first 10 minutes, and we were caught early on the set-pieces. It’s something, a momentum that we wanted to change because the game that we have played before, we conceded and after we were chasing, so it’s something that we wanted.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. But more than that, I think the real momentum of the game was the penalty. I think if we managed to come 1-1, I think really the game could have been with another physiognomy,” Ouaddou said.
The Pirates coach nevertheless defended his players despite their disappointing result. He praised the intensity, quality and attacking sequences displayed by both sides.
Pirates Must Bounce Back Quickly
“Overall, I don’t have nothing to reproach to the boys. Really, we played a high-level game, both of teams, with intensity, with some good sequences of high-level football and we have seen two of the best teams in South Africa.
“We are disappointed, of course, not to take this fifth MTN8 Final Cup, especially for us, for the club and for our fans, but there is a lot of education in that game for us because I have seen really some quality players on my side,” he added.
Ouaddou also highlighted several encouraging performances despite the defeat. Thalente Mbatha impressed the coach after returning from injury.
Meanwhile, young talents Simphiwe Masilela and Simphiwe Selepe provided further positives for the Buccaneers.
Pirates must now shift their attention towards the Betway Premiership. Their next challenge comes against TS Galaxy on Tuesday.
Furthermore, the Buccaneers still have several trophies to pursue this season. The Nedbank Cup, Carling Knockout and CAF Champions League remain among their objectives.
Therefore, Ouaddou wants his players to recover quickly and prepare for their upcoming commitments.
“So, we are going back to rest and straight away to fit to the next game, but nothing to reproach to the boys. They did, they gave the best for them. So, congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns.
“We can see that it was intense and we are going to bounce back and you can count on us, on Pirates, to be ready for the next games.”
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