Ouaddou demands more from Pirates after Milford win ahead of Soweto Derby

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has warned his players that a 3-0 victory over Milford FC is not enough to meet the standards required at the club, with the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs now next on the agenda.

Pirates secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup with a comfortable win at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday evening. However, Ouaddou was unhappy with the way his team performed in the final third, particularly their failure to make the most of numerous chances.

The Moroccan coach said players representing Pirates must maintain a winning mentality every three days, regardless of the opposition or the scoreline.

“Of course they know, because last season, this season, in many games, they had the opportunity to show everybody what they are able to do,” Ouaddou said when asked whether his squad understood the demands of playing for a club of Pirates’ stature.

“They are quality players. I have quality players. But the high level, to play for a magnitude of Pirates.”

Ouaddou compared Pirates with some of the biggest clubs in world football before outlining the attitude he expects from his squad.

“You know, I compare Pirates to Arsenal, to Paris, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, those big clubs in Africa,” he said.

“And when you are playing for such a big club, you need to have this culture of winning every three days. You are not tired. I’m coming on the pitch to win.”

The result against Milford did not prevent the coach from expressing his frustration at the number of opportunities Pirates failed to convert. He said the team could not be content with scoring three goals after creating 24 chances.

“I cannot be satisfied to go home with three, and they have 24 chances. What are we doing in the box? We are here to joke? No, we are here to score goals,” he said.

“We are here to show everybody that Pirates is the best team. We are here to impress people and to send a big message.”

Ouaddou also called for greater selflessness from his players in attacking positions, insisting that individual ambitions must be put aside when a team-mate is better placed.

“Yeah, we are here for that, but you cannot come here and chill and kick outside and be selfish. We cannot be selfish,” he added.

“When my teammate is in a better position, I give him the ball, because if he scores, it’s like I score. This is the mentality that I want.”

Pirates will carry the confidence of reaching the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals into their meeting with Amakhosi, but Ouaddou’s comments underline that he will not accept complacency despite the convincing scoreline against Milford.