‘Not Many Teams Will Win Here’: Ouaddou Defends Pirates’ Frustrating Point In Durban
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has warned that few teams will leave Durban with all three points against AmaZulu, adding that the hard-earned point his side secured could prove crucial come the end of the season.
Pirates were held to a 1–1 draw by a resilient Usuthu side at Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday night, despite dominating large spells of the encounter, particularly in the opening half.
However, the Buccaneers lost their composure just before halftime when Kamogelo Sebelebele brought down Mlondi Mbanjwa inside the box. Thando Ngwenya converted the resulting penalty to cancel out Tshepang Moremi’s seventh-minute opener.
Pirates pressed for a winner in the second half, with Yanela Mbuthuma denied by a stunning save from Faveur Kouassa before the ball rattled off the upright. However, Usuthu matched Pirates’ high tempo throughout the closing stages.
“I think we had two phases of the game,” said Ouaddou.
“I think we made a lot of technical errors. We didn’t really show the real face of Pirates. I didn’t recognise my team in the first half.
“Although we scored, I don’t think we deserved to lead 1–0 at half-time. I think in the second half, we came out with more intention, more control and more tempo.
“We had control of the game. We were facing a team that played with a mid-block, low block and on transition.
“We knew that, and we prepared for that. We had complete control of the game and managed to create a lot of chances, getting into the opponent’s box many times.
“Unfortunately, we still have the same problem with efficiency. Where I have to give credit to my boys is their aggressiveness and their intention to fight. But, on the other hand, I think not many teams are going to win here.
“Having said that, let’s see at the end of the season if it’s a good point or two points lost here against AmaZulu.”
Pirates, who clinched the league title last season for the first time in 14 years, will remain in Durban to face Chippa United at the same venue on Sunday. The match was relocated to KwaZulu-Natal due to a lack of suitable venue availability in the Eastern Cape.
Sunday’s fixture could mark the debut of new signing Sebastian Pederson, who traveled with the squad to Durban and watched Wednesday’s match from the stands.
Pirates remain without striker Evidence Makgopa due to a long-term injury, while Mbuthuma continues to search for his form in front of goal.
“To play another game with such intensity, you need to have fresh legs and fresh minds,” said Ouaddou.
“The most important thing is to see which areas we have to improve and to show the very good actions when it comes to combinations that we produced in the second half.
“Because in the second half, there were a lot of positive things that we did.”
