“The Real Turning Point”: Ouaddou Points To Key Penalty Miss In MTN8 Final Loss
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes the missed penalty was the decisive moment in his side’s MTN8 final defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Sundowns took the lead in the first half through Teboho Mokoena and went into the break with a one-goal advantage. Pirates were handed an opportunity to equalise in the 60th minute when referee Abongile Tom awarded them a penalty after Mokoena was adjudged to have fouled Yanela Mbuthuma.
However, Gamphani Lungu’s spot-kick was saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, denying Pirates the chance to draw level. Iqraam Rayners then sealed the victory for Sundowns with a second goal from the penalty spot on the stroke of full-time.
Speaking after the match, Ouaddou pointed to the missed penalty as the moment that could have changed the outcome of the final.
“I think, first of all, we started the game a little bit shy, with a lack of aggression in the first 10 minutes, and we were caught early on a set-piece,” he said.
“It’s something that we wanted to change because in the games that we have played before, we conceded and then we were chasing the game. Unfortunately, it happened again.
“But more than that, I think the real turning point of the game was the penalty. I think if we had managed to make it 1-1, really, the game could have had a different face.
“The rest of the game, we were chasing. We were trying to go forward and put the opponent under pressure, but when you attack, logically, you leave spaces.
“Of course, we had some chances to score, but we could have conceded more goals as well.
“But overall, I have nothing to reproach the boys for. Really, we played a high-level game. Both teams had some good sequences of high-level football, and we saw two of the best teams in South Africa.”
The defeat ended Pirates’ hopes of winning the MTN8 for a fifth consecutive season, having lifted the trophy in each of the previous four campaigns.
Ouaddou admitted that missing out on the title was disappointing for the club and its supporters, but insisted that there were positives to take from the performance.
The Pirates coach singled out Thalente Mbatha, Simphiwe Masilela and Simphiwe Selepe for praise, highlighting the quality within his squad and the potential of its younger players.
“We are disappointed, of course, not to take this fifth MTN8 Final Cup, especially for us, for the club and for our fans,” he added.
“But there is a lot, a lot of education in that game for us, because I have seen really some quality players in my side.
“I’m very happy about the game of Thalente Mbatha. He was injured, he came back, so he’s somebody that I can bring back to our team.
“I have seen Simphiwe Masilela again, some young players, Simphiwe Selepe, so there are a lot, a lot of positives for us.
“We are going to keep working hard. We still have a lot, a lot of games: many cups again, Nedbank, Carling Cup, the CAF Champions League, and the most important, to defend our title.”
Pirates will now turn their attention to the Betway Premiership as they look to bounce back from their MTN8 final disappointment when they host TS Galaxy at Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday.
