Ouaddou says Lungu penalty miss changed MTN8 final for Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Ghampani Lungu’s missed penalty was the decisive moment in their 2-0 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final on Saturday evening.

The Buccaneers had been aiming to win the trophy for a fifth consecutive season after lifting it in each of the previous four campaigns. However, they fell behind early when Teboho Mokoena found the net before half-time.

Pirates were given an opportunity to level shortly after the interval. Mokoena was penalised for fouling Yanela Mbuthuma inside the area, but Lungu could not beat Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from the spot.

Sundowns then sealed victory in the closing stages when Iqraam Rayners converted a penalty at the other end.

Ouaddou said Pirates had built momentum before Lungu’s miss and felt the outcome could have been different had they taken that chance.

“Look, there are two – one moment in the game. I think when we come back with the penalty, I think it was a good momentum to come to score, I think if we had scored maybe the game could’ve been different. But I’ve nothing to approach to my boys, they gave everything,” he told SuperSport TV.

The Pirates manager accepted that his players became more exposed as they pushed for an equaliser, allowing Sundowns opportunities to attack in the final stages.

“We wanted to win that trophy and get history again, but it’s football, they gave everything. We tried to be disciplined to respect the plan, but of course at the end we let sort of space because we wanted to score so maybe Sundowns could’ve scored a lot of goals as well,” said Ouaddou.

Despite the defeat, he was satisfied with much of his team’s performance and said Pirates had followed their tactical instructions.

“But I think really the momentum was the penalty, otherwise I think the boys applied exactly what we wanted. We had the possession, I have to see the number of chances we created, the season is long,” he added.

Ouaddou said the team would continue competing for the title while acknowledging the disappointment felt by the club’s supporters.

“We’re going to fight to keep this title, but it’s good we are disappointed for our fans of course. But I think South African fans have seen a good football match today, high level and that’s it but I’ve nothing to approach to my boys.”