Ouaddou Sends Title Warning To Sundowns
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has sent a strong message to those who have written off his side’s chances of catching Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race, insisting: “We are not dead.”
This comes after Pirates produced a dominant display on Sunday, thrashing 10-man TS Galaxy 6-0 at Mbombela Stadium.
Relebohile Mofokeng scored his first-ever hat-trick as Pirates moved to the top of the table with 51 points from 22 matches, one point ahead of Sundowns, who still have a game in hand.
Pirates went into the match under pressure after dropping points at home against Siwelele last weekend, a setback that threatened to derail their tight title battle with Sundowns.
“It is a fantastic game for us,” reacted Ouaddou on SuperSport TV.
“It’s a good answer for people who doubt our commitment, about the commitment of the boys. I always say that there is nobody in my team who comes on the pitch with a will to lose the match or is willing to draw.
“I think some people have to understand that – all the players are sweating in the shirt. We scored six goals today [on Sunday] because we have fantastic support from the true fans. Every time we come here, we have fantastic support, just as when we go to Durban, and the players feel that support.
“But unfortunately, when you draw, people start to boo the players – this is not true supporters. When people support us very well, the players give us everything.
“We are sending a strong message that we are not dead. We are going to fight until the last second, as I have said.”
Pirates will now take a two-week break due to the FIFA international window before resuming their league campaign against Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on 7 April.
