“We Will Fight Until the Last Second!” —Ouaddou Reacts To Crucial Stellenbosch Win

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised his side’s grit after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Stellenbosch FC at a freezing Athlone Stadium, keeping their title hopes alive on Tuesday night.

The Soweto giants maintained intense pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership title race with the clinical away victory in Cape Town.

First-half goals from Evidence Makgopa and Patrick Maswanganyi keep the Buccaneers second on the table with 62 points after 27 matches. However, much like Arsenal in the English Premier League, Sundowns will retain their crown if they win their remaining games in hand.

A passionate, capacity crowd packed Athlone Stadium after tickets sold out a day before the match. Despite the biting cold, fans and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie turned out in large numbers to witness the high-stakes clash.

“I think it was the game we expected,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV after the final whistle. “It is never easy to play against Stellenbosch. Gavin Hunt is an incredibly experienced coach; I don’t have to tell you about his pedigree.”

This was the third meeting between the sides this season, with Pirates completing a clean sweep. In the reverse fixture at Orlando Amstel Arena, Kamogelo Sebelebele decided the match with a stunning long-range strike, while the Buccaneers also triumphed 3-0 after extra time in September’s MTN8 final at Mbombela Stadium.

Knowing they could not afford to drop points with Sundowns hosting Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday, the Soweto giants started brightly, with Oswin Appollis and Maswanganyi both firing wide early on.

“We started the game exactly the way we wanted to—very well-organized and with high intensity,” Ouaddou explained. “We knew we needed to match their physical duels, their intensity, and handle their direct long balls. I think we were highly efficient in our set-plays during the first half.”

Despite the dominant start, Pirates had to absorb significant pressure in the second period as Stellenbosch fought back.

“We made some tactical adjustments to maintain control in the second half,” Ouaddou admitted. “To keep the lead, we needed more possession. I don’t think we had as much control as I wanted in the second half, but that is normal when an opponent is pushing hard to equalize.

“Ultimately, it is a fantastic result that keeps us firmly in the title race. We are going to fight until the very last second.”