Abdeslam Ouaddou’s message to title rivals after Stellies win

Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou has hailed his side as “warriors” after a 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC ignited the Betway Premiership title race.

In a high-octane Tuesday night at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, the Buccaneers stood tall under immense physical pressure to close the gap on league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to just two points. With the finish line in sight and only three games remaining, the momentum in this frantic title hunt appears to be swinging toward Soweto.

First-half strikes from Evidence Makgopa and Patrick Maswanganyi did the damage, leaving a resilient Stellies side with no answer to Pirates’ early intensity.

‘TO THE LAST SECOND’ – PIRATES’ ABDESLAM OUADDOU

Speaking after the final whistle, a defiant Ouaddou dedicated the victory to his squad’s bravery, insisting that his side will not blink first in the fight for the crown.

“Today, we saw real warriors,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV. “Players who clearly gave an answer to say that we are still here. We are going to fight until the last second.”

The Moroccan tactician admitted that while the first half was executed to tactical perfection, the second stanza required a different kind of grit to withstand a barrage from Gavin Hunt’s men.

“We know it’s never easy to play Stellenbosch. You know when you play a team managed by Gavin Hunt, an experienced coach—I don’t have to tell you about his pedigree,” Ouaddou noted.

“We started exactly how we wanted: well-organised and with high intensity. We knew we had to answer the physical duels and the direct balls. In the second half, I thought we needed more control to see it out, but the opponent was pushing to equalise.

“It’s a fantastic result. It keeps us right in the title race.”