Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou continues to enhance his reputation after guiding the Buccaneers to the Carling Knockout quarterfinals.
The decisive moment came late in the match when Mbekezeli Mbokazi produced a stunning long-range strike to seal the win and send the Soweto giants through.
The result extended Pirates’ unbeaten run to 11 matches across all competitions, a remarkable turnaround from their early-season struggles.
Ouaddou’s men had suffered two successive league defeats at the start of the campaign, sparking criticism and calls for his dismissal.
Rather than being disheartened, the Moroccan tactician remained composed, insisting he understood the scrutiny that comes with managing a club of Pirates’ stature.
The coach, who recently steered Pirates to the MTN8 title, now appears well on his way to adding another cup run to his résumé. Yet he maintains that chasing records is not his motivation.
“I’m not looking for records. I’m just enjoying the moment with my players, trying to give the best for the club. Trying to get results and play some good football,” Ouaddou said.
“It is not easy every time because the opponents analyse you and don’t let you do what you want. I’m not looking for records but to do a good job for the club and the players.”