Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has praised the fighting spirit of newly promoted Orbit College after his side’s narrow 1-0 victory in Tuesday evening’s Betway Premiership clash.
The Buccaneers came into the encounter under pressure, having suffered two consecutive league defeats to open the new season. But back-to-back wins have since steadied the ship, lifting Pirates into seventh place on the log. Still, Ouaddou admits it has been anything but a smooth ride.
Reflecting on the hard-fought contest, Ouaddou stressed how competitive the PSL has become.
“Yes, happy with the win. We were a bit tired and made some changes, but I have to congratulate Orbit as well,” he told SuperSport after the match.
“I said before the game that it wouldn’t be easy because they came into this league with energy and hunger after promotion. In the PSL today, there are no small teams.”
Building on Cup Success
Pirates’ victory came just days after their dramatic MTN8 semi-final triumph, where they edged Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties to secure a place in the final for a fourth straight year. Many expected that momentum to carry into their league form, but Ouaddou admitted his side struggled to impose their rhythm against Orbit.
“We wanted to keep the ball and move it around in the first half, but we didn’t succeed,” the coach explained.
“I had to introduce players who could control possession in midfield, play forward, and deliver the final pass. That adjustment was needed because in the first half, we spent too much time behind the ball, which was not our plan.”
A Testing Season Ahead
While Pirates’ league campaign has started inconsistently, Ouaddou believes that grinding out results in tough matches like these could prove crucial later in the season. Last term, Pirates finished second behind champions Sundowns, and the coach knows replicating that finish or going one better will require resilience.
As the Buccaneers prepare for upcoming fixtures, Ouaddou’s message remains clear: underestimate no one in South Africa’s top flight.
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