Ouaddou feels Pirates deserved more from Sundowns draw

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his troops were unlucky to concede from a set piece and deserved a win after their 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The two teams faced off in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinal at Orlando Stadium. The draw means both teams will need to give their all in the second leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium next weekend.

Sundowns scored first with a header from Teboho Mokoena off a corner kick. Later, second-half substitute Kamogelo Sebelebele equalized for the Pirates.

The Buccaneers went into the match under immense pressure, having lost their first two matches of the new Betway Premiership season. Before the Sundowns match, Ouaddou faced criticism for benching key players like Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thalente Mbatha, and Deano Van Rooyen. For this crucial game, Ouaddou put Mbatha and Van Rooyen in the starting lineup for the first time this season.

After failing to secure a win in the last three matches, Ouaddou praised his team’s character and hunger, stating that they deserved a last-minute goal.

“We wanted to start the game with high intensity and put pressure on Sundowns, which we didn’t succeed with in the first 15 to 20 minutes,” he said during the press conference in Soweto. “My team was a bit shy at the beginning of the game, but step by step, we got into the game.”

“We created some chances in the first half, but unfortunately, we weren’t efficient. Again, we were unfortunate to concede from a set piece,” Ouaddou continued.

“At halftime, we decided to make some adjustments and bring in fresh blood. The players who came in had a great impact in the second half. I have to congratulate them because it’s not easy to come back after conceding. They showed great character and personality.”

“I was happy about the second half. I think we deserved to score at the end of the game, but that’s football,” he concluded.