Ouaddou admits Hotto experiment failed despite Pirates’ Soweto Derby win

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his attempt to surprise Kaizer Chiefs by deploying Deon Hotto at right-back did not work, despite the Buccaneers securing a 2-1 victory in the Soweto Derby.

Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi scored for Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, guiding them to victory and moving the Buccaneers top.

Ouaddou had indicated before the match that he had a tactical surprise in store for Chiefs. He revealed after the game that the plan involved playing Hotto in an unfamiliar position, but admitted the experiment was quickly abandoned.

“Look, when I told you about a surprise it was Hotto at right-back but I cannot tell that you it was successful so I don’t know if I have to talk about the tactical.

“But we tried something because he has experience, he has played left-back we said maybe as a right-back we were looking for a solution and not him but I think it was not successful that’s why we changed after,” Ouaddou said.

The Pirates manager was also asked about the criticism he has faced over his tactical decisions during the season.

Ouaddou said his priority was to make the team effective, even when it was unable to produce attractive football throughout a match.

“Look, in modern football you have to be efficient, ruthless, you need to complete and it’s the face that I try to give to Pirates as I’m here to be able to play. Sometimes we’re able to play good football sometimes not. But sometimes you cannot oppress us is the fighting spirit, the solicity and to score goals but again with a lot of humility.

“Sometimes, people who played football at the high-level, I cannot tell you why, but I feel, see things, this thing you don’t read them in the book only if you have played football. So, sometimes people are judging but please let me do my work,” Ouaddou said.

The French coach maintained that some aspects of football could only be understood through playing experience and said he wanted to be given the freedom to carry out his work.

Pirates’ latest result came against their Soweto rivals and was secured through the goals from Mbuthuma and Moremi, with the Buccaneers finishing the afternoon as league leaders.