Ouaddou: Games In Hand Mean Nothing
Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou says his side is not focusing on the advantage of having games in hand, insisting that the priority is converting those fixtures into points.
However, Ouaddou remains confident that Pirates will be in contention for the title at the end of the season, as the Betway Premiership shapes up to be one of the tightest title races in recent years, involving three of South Africa’s top clubs.
Pirates dropped to third place on the Betway Premiership standings on Wednesday and sit on 29 points after 13 matches. They have two games in hand over log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who lead the table with 32 points.
Kaizer Chiefs moved into second place after a 1–0 win over Marumo Gallants on Wednesday and have also played two matches more than Pirates, accumulating 30 points.
The Buccaneers will have an opportunity to leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs if they defeat bottom-placed Magesi at the newly renamed Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday (18:00). They could also move above Sundowns should they secure a big victory in Soweto. Chiefs and Sundowns won’t be playing in domestic football this weekend, but in the CAF club competitions.
“We have been focused on ourselves since the beginning of the season,” said Ouaddou.
“I won’t lie and say that we are not looking at the log table. But for us, it is more important to focus on the areas we need to improve and the areas we must continue working on.”
Ouaddou, who has already won two major trophies with Pirates, added: “We are doing well, of course, but we are not focused on other teams. We are focused on ourselves — how we start games, how we finish them, and how we manage them.
“Every match we play is to win. The league is long and will probably be decided around May. What matters is where we are at the end of the season.
“For now, our focus is on our preparation, our organisation, and how we manage the team. These are the most important things for us.”
Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, who sat alongside Ouaddou at the press conference, echoed his coach’s sentiments, stressing that games in hand do not guarantee points.
“I agree with what the coach says,” said Sibisi.
“Everyone knows that games in hand don’t automatically give you points. We still have to fight for them against very tough opponents.
“We are not only looking at the teams above us, but also those behind us because the gap is very close this season.
“For us, it’s about taking one game at a time, and right now our focus is on the next match against Magesi.”
