Ouaddou Urges Pirates To Maintain Momentum Against Siwelele

Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou has urged his side to maintain their momentum by securing maximum points when they face Siwelele this coming weekend.

Pirates were made to work hard for their victory as they beat Richards Bay 2-0 in a Betway Premiership match at Orlando Amstel Arena on Wednesday.

The scoreline may look comfortable, but the Buccaneers only sealed the win in stoppage time when Evidence Makgopa converted a penalty after Tshepang Moremi was clipped inside the box.

Oswin Appollis had earlier given the Soweto giants the lead in the first half, meeting a cross from Kamogelo Sebelebele at close range after the visitors were pulled apart by Pirates’ attacking play.

The victory saw Pirates reclaim top spot in the Betway Premiership with 47 points from 20 matches, level with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who dropped to second place on goal difference.

While Sundowns will not be involved in domestic action this weekend as they prepare to face Stade Malien in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final on Friday, Pirates have another opportunity to extend their lead at the top.

They host Siwelele at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday (15:30), and Ouaddou has acknowledged the challenge posed by the Free State side, describing them as one of the toughest teams they have faced this season.

However, he insists Pirates must win if they want to lift the title at the end of the campaign.

“I can tell you that, for me, the most consistent teams we have faced this season were Richards Bay and Siwelele,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV.

“It will be another tough game. But if you want to be champions, you need to go to those teams and try to take points and win.

“Because it will be difficult if we don’t win. We know the PSL is a very strong league with very good teams.

“If we want to be champions, we have to win those games.”