Evidence Makgopa earns Abdeslam Ouaddou praise after Orlando Pirates brace

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised Evidence Makgopa after the striker scored twice in a 4-0 win over African Stars to secure the Buccaneers’ place in the CAF Champions League group stages.

The result at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday evening completed a 5-0 aggregate victory for the South African side in their second preliminary round tie against the Namibian champions.

Pirates took control early and went ahead in the 17th minute. Thapelo Mokobodi broke beyond the African Stars defence before finishing a cross from Simphiwe Masilela.

Makgopa added a second just before half-time, scoring in the 45th minute. Mpho Padime then made an immediate impact after coming on at the interval, finding the net in the 46th minute to put Pirates 3-0 ahead.

Makgopa completed the scoring in the 77th minute, rounding off an impressive individual display and confirming a comprehensive victory for the Soweto club.

Ouaddou delighted with Makgopa response

Makgopa had been absent for the current campaign after a lengthy injury lay-off, and Ouaddou said the forward had taken full advantage of the opportunity to return to the starting line-up.

“Regarding Evidence, you know, his last regular game was last season, and we wanted to give him the opportunity today, and I think he took it, he was just fantastic,” Ouaddou said at his post-match press conference.

The Orlando Pirates manager was particularly pleased with Makgopa’s movement and his contribution to the team’s build-up play.

“He was moving everywhere. He took the space. I was happy,” he added.

“Something that I told him to improve on was to hold the ball between the lines as a wall player, and he allowed us to play some layoff and to find the third man.”

Makgopa’s performance gives Ouaddou another option in attack as he plans for the next stage of the season. The coach also has fit-again forwards Boitumelo Radiopane, Yanela Mbuthuma, Sebastian Pedersen and Sifiso Luthuli available for selection.

Pirates’ emphatic win guarantees their progression to the lucrative CAF Champions League group stages, which Ouaddou believes will be important in managing his squad over the longer term.

The Buccaneers must now switch their attention to domestic competition. They host PSL newcomers Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00.