Ouaddou warns Orlando Pirates against complacency after African Stars win

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has told his players to stay focused after their 1-0 victory over African Stars in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary-round tie.

Tshepang Moremi scored in the 75th minute in Gaborone to give Pirates a narrow advantage before next Friday’s return fixture at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Despite securing an important away win, Ouaddou said his side had not yet done enough to guarantee a place in the group stages.

“I think we have succeeded the first half of the two games and we still have the second half in South Africa,” he said.

The coach rejected the suggestion that the result meant Pirates already had one foot in the next round, stressing that African Stars could still overturn the deficit.

“I cannot say we have one foot in the group stages, we still have an important second half there and we will have to prepare this to qualify for the group stages,” said Ouaddou.

“It’s an important target for the club, the technical team and the players so we’ll rest and prepare well so we can start that game to win it.”

Pirates entered the tie determined to avoid another early exit after being knocked out at the same stage of the competition last season.

Ouaddou made three changes to the team that beat TS Galaxy in midweek, including bringing midfielder Thalente Mbatha into the starting line-up. Oswin Appollis, who has been dealing with an injury, was included among the substitutes.

The match remained evenly contested for much of the evening before Moremi produced the decisive moment 15 minutes from time.

His goal gives Pirates an advantage to protect in the second leg, but African Stars now have the opportunity to respond when the teams meet again in South Africa.

The Buccaneers will return to the Orlando Amstel Arena next Friday aiming to secure their progress in front of their home supporters.

Ouaddou’s side must therefore complete the task over the two legs, with the away victory representing only the first half of the 180-minute tie.