Ouaddou demands greater control from Orlando Pirates after Carling Knockout Cup win

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side must improve their control of matches after reaching the Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United.

The Buccaneers secured their place in the last four at Orlando Amstel Arena, where Mpho Padime scored the only goal of the game in the first half.

Although pleased with the result, Ouaddou was unhappy with the manner of the performance and said Orlando Pirates had surrendered possession too cheaply at important moments.

“We will have to work the control because everything was not perfect,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV.

The coach acknowledged the value of progressing in the competition but insisted the victory did not meet his expectations.

“Yes, I’m happy to go to the semi-final, but not like that. We have to improve,” he said.

Ouaddou also criticised his players for becoming anxious when there was no need to do so, and called for greater composure in possession.

“I’d like to have more control, we are panicking sometimes for nothing,” he added.

“We are losing cheap balls in the heart of the game. We have the opportunity to kill the game. We kick the ball in the stand; we still have a lot of work.”

Orlando Pirates will discover their semi-final opponents when the Carling Knockout Cup draw takes place on Sunday.