“You take the three points”: Ouaddou delighted with gritty Pirates win

For Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the post-match feeling at the Free State Stadium was one of relief and satisfaction. Following a gritty 1-0 victory over a resolute Siwelele FC, the coach admitted his side had not produced a masterpiece, but was nonetheless delighted with the crucial three points they had secured.

“You cannot say we played great football, but sometimes… you take the three points,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV after Oswin Appollis’ excellent 80th-minute goal sealed the win for the Buccaneers.

The coach was quick to praise his players for their fighting spirit, noting the challenge of having to compete just three days after their CAF Champions League win over Lioli.

“You have to compliment the boys”: Ouaddou

Ouaddou also gave credit to the home side’s stubborn defensive strategy, which made life difficult for his team. “This team studied us well, they played a very compact block with a lot of aggressivity, they didn’t allow us to play.”

But it was his team’s ability to adapt that proved the difference, with a second-half tactical shift paying off. “We made changes again, and in the second half came the shot from Appollis,” he explained.

While acknowledging that there is still work to be done, Ouaddou emphasized that the immediate result was the most important thing. “We will analyse what we must improve, but most important is that we took the three points.”

The victory moves Pirates to fourth on the Betway Premiership log with 12 points from six matches, a strong position from which to build on their season.