Ouaddou reacts to guiding Pirates to second cup final

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has shared his excitement after steering the Buccaneers into the Carling Knockout Cup final, securing yet another major cup final appearance for the Soweto giants since he took over the coaching reins at the start of the season.

The victory books the Buccaneers a spot in the Carling Knockout Cup final, securing Ouaddou his second cup final appearance this season, having already lifted the MTN8 trophy.

Ouaddou: Cup Games Are Not About Beauty

Speaking after the tense semi-final, Ouaddou was honest about his team’s performance, admitting they prioritised the result over style.

“I can’t say we had a fantastic game in terms of playing beautiful football, but it’s a cup game,” the Pirates coach told SuperSport TV. “I think we saw a strong team with good organisation from Orlando Pirates.”

He emphasised the grit and determination shown by his players, suggesting that often in knockout competitions, sheer resilience is the winning factor.

“My players showed great resilience, and sometimes this is what you need to reach the finals,” Ouaddou said. “Luckily, this is what they did today. I think this was a good team performance throughout the match.”

Facing a ‘Very Good Team’

The coach also paid respect to Richards Bay, acknowledging they posed a genuine threat and highlighting the challenge of managing fatigue, especially after playing a league match just three days prior.

“First of all, I’m proud of my boys. They played with bravery today,” he added. “It was not an easy game. We played against a very good team of Richards Bay… We knew they will fight till the end. Cup matches are about heart; it’s about team spirit.”

Pirates will now wait for the outcome of Sunday’s second semi-final between Golden Arrows and Marumo Gallants to learn their opponents for the final.