Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou confirms penalty-taking order after MTN8 final miss

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has confirmed that Ghampani Lungu was the club’s first-choice penalty taker when he missed from the spot in the MTN8 final.

Mamelodi Sundowns took the lead through Teboho Mokoena, before Pirates were handed a major opportunity to equalise in the 60th minute. Lungu, however, failed to convert the penalty.

Ouaddou said Lungu had been selected ahead of Oswin Appollis among the players designated to take penalties.

“He’s one of the designated takers,” Ouaddou told SABC Sport.

“Of the players he was first in the takers. After we have Appollis, we have…”

The Pirates manager accepted the missed opportunity as part of the game and congratulated Mamelodi Sundowns on their victory.

“It’s moments like that, it’s football. We have to respect,” he said.

“Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns. Of course we are disappointed but in football you have to be fair play.”

Despite the disappointment, Ouaddou said Orlando Pirates would continue working and were determined to challenge for further success during the season.

“For us, we have to continue to work and people are going to see a fantastic season because we are not going to give up,” he added.

“And we are going to try to keep our title.”