Ouaddou urges Orlando Pirates to aim higher after Champions League return

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said he was already demanding more goals even after his side had secured a 4-0 win over African Stars FC to return to the CAF Champions League group stage.

The Buccaneers completed a 5-0 aggregate victory against the Namibian champions at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday night, following their 1-0 success in the first leg in Botswana last weekend.

The result took Pirates through the second preliminary round and into the group stage, having missed out at the same stage of the competition last season.

Ouaddou pleased with Pirates’ progress

Ouaddou said the achievement was particularly important because of the disappointment caused to the club’s supporters during the previous campaign.

“Yes, you’re right, it was important for us to come back in the Champions League, you know, because we felt sorry for our fans last season,” he told SABC Sport.

“I love to say a Champions League without Pirates, it’s not the same taste. So we come back, happy for the fans, happy for the club. It was one of the targets.”

Pirates scored twice in each half, although Ouaddou felt his team had not controlled the opening period as well as he had expected.

“Credit has to be given to the boys. We know that we had a difficult first half, not even we scored two goals, but in terms of control, it was not what I was expecting and after the second half was much, much better in terms of control,” he said.

“We managed to score again two goals. So and we managed to bring some young players as well to give them some experience of that competition. They did very well. I think it’s a positive.”

The Pirates coach said the club would now turn its attention to its next cup fixture, while recognising the physical demands and different style of football likely to come in the CAF Champions League group stage.

“Now, let’s focus on the next game in the Cup. But we really want to achieve something great in the Champions League. We know that it’s another competition, very physical and another type of football. And we will have to adapt, but very happy, very happy for the club.”

Pirates encouraged to keep scoring

Despite holding a commanding advantage, Ouaddou continued to ask his players to push for further goals.

“Of course, the goals, even at 4-0, I was pushing the guys to score the fifth one, the sixth one,” he added.

He praised Pirates for keeping a clean sheet and said players were free to entertain the home support once the result was secure.

“My proudness is we scored four goals and we didn’t concede. So and the guys, when they score four goals, they can enjoy. You see, I didn’t say nothing.

“Popo [Padime] can make, can climb on the ball. Masilela can make showboating, you see, I don’t have any problem. But you need to score four goals.”