Ouaddou Defends Pirates After Siwelele Draw In Betway Premiership

Abdelsam Ouaddou says he has no reason to reproach his players after Orlando Pirates dropped points against Siwelele in the Betway Premiership, insisting his side were punished for a first-half mistake.

Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw by Siwelele at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, moving just one point clear of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Soweto giants, who are chasing their first league title since the 2011/12 season, now have 48 points from 21 matches — one point ahead of Sundowns, who still have a game in hand.

Sundowns were not in domestic action this weekend, but their coach, Miguel Cardoso, is expected to field a strong side against Marumo Gallants on Tuesday after seeing Pirates drop points to pull clear, despite their upcoming CAF Champions League quarter-final second leg against Stade Malien in Bamako.

“I think we played the game that we wanted to play,” Ouaddou told SuperSport.

“We had control, we played high, and most of the time we were in the final third of the opponents. We created many chances.

“The opponent used one mistake we made at the beginning and they scored. After that, I think we were dominant for most of the game, but being dominant doesn’t mean you will win the match.

“I have nothing to reproach the boys for; they played a good game. We knew it would be very difficult against Siwelele.

“I think we must congratulate them on the game. They took two points from us, unfortunately. Everyone could see that the boys wanted to win this game, but I’m not worried.

“If we keep playing like this until the end of the season, many things can still happen.

“We have to believe until the end.”