Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made a surprising admission after his team's 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United FC, stating the visitors were the superior side. The Betway Premiership match at Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday saw goals from Boitumelo Radiopane and Oswin Appollis, but the Pirates boss was far from satisfied with the performance.
Ouaddou labeled the first half as the worst since he took charge at Pirates. He pointed to a lack of control in midfield and predictable attacking play as major issues. "We didn't have any control of the game in the heart of the middle and that's where the game is important," Ouaddou said. The result moved Pirates to the top of the league standings with 10 points, but the coach refused to let the scoreline mask the problems.
What did the Pirates coach say about the performance?
Abdeslam Ouaddou was blunt in his assessment. "Today we won the game so I'm happy for the three points, the boys and the fans but we didn't deserve to win today, they (Sekhukhune) were far better than us," he stated. This frank critique comes despite securing a second victory over Sekhukhune in just four days. The French-Moroccan coach specifically highlighted his team's inability to dominate the central areas, which allowed Sekhukhune to dictate large portions of the game. He warned that a similar display would not be acceptable in their upcoming cup clash.
How does this affect the upcoming MTN8 semi-final?
The two sides are set to meet again this Saturday in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final. Pirates hold a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg. Ouaddou believes his squad must improve significantly to secure a place in the final. "If we can't find a solution in three days, it could be very difficult," he admitted. Sekhukhune's strong showing in the league match will serve as a clear warning. The Buccaneers have limited time to address their midfield balance and attacking predictability before the decisive cup tie.
Where does Sekhukhune United FC stand in the league?
While the focus was on Pirates' performance, the match provided a clear indicator of Sekhukhune's competitive level. Playing away against one of the league's top sides, they managed to impress even in defeat. The team's current form and squad details are available on the official squad page. Their upcoming schedule, including the vital MTN8 second leg, can be found on the fixtures list. Fans can also track the team's progress in the Betway Premiership by checking the latest standings.
What are the key statistics from the match?
The 2-0 scoreline extended Pirates' winning run over Sekhukhune to two matches in a short period. However, the underlying performance metrics and the coach's own words tell a different story. The victory kept Pirates at the summit of the league table early in the season. For Sekhukhune, the performance, though not the result, provides a positive foundation ahead of the cup semi-final rematch. The team will look to carry that momentum into Saturday's match at their home ground. The MTN8 semi-final second leg between Sekhukhune United FC and Orlando Pirates kicks off at 3pm on Saturday.
