Abdeslam Ouaddou furious with Orlando Pirates’ ‘circus’ display despite Carling Knockout win

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has condemned his players’ late showboating despite their 2-1 Carling Knockout quarter-final victory over defending champions Magesi at Orlando Stadium.

The Moroccan coach praised the team’s progress to the semi-finals but expressed anger over their lack of discipline after conceding a stoppage-time goal.

Ouaddou described the final minutes as ‘a circus’, criticising his side for prioritising entertainment over efficiency.

“My big disappointment was the last 15 minutes, and it’s the first time I will address that,” Ouaddou said.

“If we want to be more ambitious, if we want to go forward, we have to stop this nonsense of playing a sterile position and to enjoy playing small passes.”

He continued: “I think 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 football.

“I’m here to improve my players, to go forward, and we have to stop this nonsense.”

Ouaddou’s remarks came after Pirates lost their clean sheet to a late strike from Magesi defender Johnny Mokone, a lapse that infuriated the coach.

He warned that his team’s ambitions would mean little if they failed to remain focused in key moments.

While acknowledging South African football’s flair and love for entertainment, Ouaddou emphasised the need for balance.

“I’m respecting a lot of culture, the traditions. It’s a fantastic country, a land of football. But we have to find the right balance. It’s okay because it’s a cup game. But in the league, every goal is very important.”

The coach, however, lauded his side’s intensity and finishing in the early stages. Second-half goals from Tshepang Moremi and Evidence Makgopa secured the victory.

“We started with the high intensity we wanted, to put pressure on the opponent to try to score early,” he said. “

The boys did a fantastic job. By half time, we could have led by five goals. It’s a positive point, and I congratulate my players.”