Ouaddou demands ‘killer instinct’ after Pirates rout TTM

Despite witnessing his side dismantle Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) in a one-sided Nedbank Cup affair, Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has challenged his players to find a more ruthless edge.

The Buccaneers cruised into the Last 16 with a 4-1 victory at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Andre De Jong, Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Sipho Mbule. However, the scoreline—dominant as it was—didn’t entirely satisfy the Moroccan-French tactician.

Dominance is Not Enough For Ouaddou

Speaking on SuperSport TV after the final whistle, Pirates coach acknowledged the technical superiority his team displayed but remained focused on the chances that went begging.

“A lot of positive things of course—the way that we controlled the game and the opportunities that we created as well,” Ouaddou noted. “But I will repeat the same things: I think we could’ve scored more. We need to be more efficient; we need more of a killer instinct in the box.”

While Pirates were “miles ahead” of their Motsepe Foundation Championship opponents, the ex-Premier League’s critique stems from the team’s long-term ambitions. As the defending champions and contenders for a historic quadruple, the coach is wary of leaving the door ajar in tighter matches.

For Ouaddou, managing a top-tier side means maintaining a standard that transcends the quality of the opposition.

“It’s very important to manage a team [this way],” he added, suggesting that complacency is the biggest threat to their trophy-laden aspirations.

The Buccaneers now await the Last 16 draw, where they will look to apply Ouaddou’s demand for clinical finishing against potentially tougher top-flight opposition.