Despite reaching the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout, Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was left frustrated with his team’s performance in the final 15 minutes of the game.
The Buccaneers advanced to the next round of the Carling Knockout with a 2–1 victory over defending champions Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
Goals from Tshepang Moremi and Evidence Makgopa were enough to secure the win for the Soweto giants.
Read: Orlando Pirates into Carling Knockout Cup semis after seeing off Magesi
That being said, a lapse in concentration in the 95th minute allowed Dikwena Tsa Metsi to pull one back through John Mokone, making it 2–1.
That late goal left Ouaddou visibly disappointed, as he had hoped to see his side maintain a clean sheet.
“It was important to take this victory and go through to the next stage of the tournament, there are thing that we have done,” Ouaddou said.
“But my big disappointment is the last 15 minutes and for the first time I will address that. If we want to be more ambitious, if we want to go forward, we have to stop this nonsense of playing a sterile possession.
“And to enjoy playing small passes, if we want to do this we have to go to the circus. I’m not here to go to the circus or to play circus.
“I’m here to improve my player to go forward and we have to stop this nonsense because at the end we concede a goal and the target was not to concede a goal, we wanted to go with the clean sheet and to score more goals.
“I think we have to improve that if we want to be more ambitious.”
Pirates will now face Mamelodi Sundowns in a Betway Premiership clash on Saturday at Loftus Stadium.
The 46-year-old coach emphasised the importance of converting more chances, noting that goal difference could prove crucial in the league standings if teams finish level on points.
Ouaddou also expressed his respect for South Africa’s football culture of showboating but stressed that players must balance flair with a greater focus on scoring goals going forward.
“I’m respecting a lot the culture and traditions, I’m in a fantastic country that loves football,” he added.
“It’s a land of football, South Africa but we have to find the right balance between doing our job and to score goals.
“It’s okay because it’s a cup game but in the league every goals are very important especially at the end (of the season).
“So, for me, as long as you make passes, you can make 20 to 30 passes to make the show.
“I’m happy for that I was a football player as well and I like the show but go forward and finish the action.
“But if you stay in the same position same place and make 30 passes in five square meter is not interesting.”
Written by Ayanda Vezi