Ouaddou urges Orlando Pirates to respond after MTN8 final defeat

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side must quickly recover from their 2-0 MTN8 final defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns, with a Betway Premiership meeting against TS Galaxy scheduled for Tuesday.

The Buccaneers lost their title at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night, ending their run as MTN8 champions and denying them the chance to win the trophy for a fifth consecutive time.

Ouaddou accepted that Pirates had made a hesitant start, allowing Sundowns to take advantage of set-piece situations, but he identified the missed penalty as the key moment in the match.

“First of all, I think we started the game a little shy, perhaps lacking aggression in the first 10 minutes, and we were caught early from set-pieces,” he told reporters after the final.

“It was something we wanted to change because, in the previous game we played, we conceded and then had to chase the match. Unfortunately, that did not happen.

“More than that, I think the real turning point was the penalty. If we had managed to make it 1-1, I believe the game could have taken a different shape.”

Despite the result, the Pirates coach said he had no complaints about his players and praised the standard of the contest between the two clubs.

“Overall, I have nothing to reproach the boys for. We played a high-level game. Both teams showed intensity and produced some good sequences of high-level football,” Ouaddou said.

“We saw two of the best teams in South Africa. We are disappointed, of course, not to win this fifth MTN8 final, especially for the club and our fans.

“But there is a lot for us to learn from this game because I saw real quality from the players on my side.”

Ouaddou also highlighted the return from injury of Thalente Mbatha, while identifying young players Simphiwe Masilela and Simphiwe Selepe as further positives for Pirates.

The Buccaneers now have little time to dwell on the setback, with the Betway Premiership encounter against TS Galaxy next on their schedule.

Pirates remain in contention for more silverware this season in the league, Nedbank Cup, Carling Knockout and CAF Champions League.

Ouaddou said his squad would rest before immediately preparing for the next fixture and insisted the team would be ready to respond.

“We are going back to rest and then straight away get fit for the next game. There is nothing to reproach the boys for. They gave their best,” he said.

“Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns. We could see how intense the match was, but we are going to bounce back. You can count on us, on Pirates, to be ready for the next games.”