“Play With Heart” — Ouaddou Delighted As Pirates Claim Crucial MTN8 Lead

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdelslam Ouaddou was all smiles after watching his side secure a valuable away victory in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final tie against Sekhukhune United.

The Buccaneers edged Babina Noko 1-0 at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a brilliant first-half strike from Deon Hotto.

The veteran Namibian international proved a constant thorn in Sekhukhune’s side throughout the opening period. On the stroke of half-time, Hotto capitalized on static defending to combine neatly on the edge of the box before launching a unstoppable drive high into the roof of the net.

Pirates, who have earned the reputation as the undisputed kings of the MTN8 after winning a record four consecutive titles, looked comfortable and largely untroubled in Limpopo.

Carry a 1-0 aggregate lead into next weekend’s second leg at the Orlando Amstel Arena, the defending champions remain in firm control of the tie.

Speaking to SuperSport TV after the final whistle, Ouaddou praised his team’s grit and effort.

“Sometimes in these kinds of matches, you need to play with the heart,” said Ouaddou.

“I always say that cup matches are more than tactics, they are more than technique. You need this intrinsic [desire], and today the boys did that.

“They gave me this reaction, and when they work like that, when they give it all to the fans, the fantastic fans here, I am a happy coach.

“Because we scored 1-0 and kept a clean sheet. That’s what I like.”

Sekhukhune played a cautious first leg, but Cédric Kaze’s side must adopt a more aggressive strategy in Soweto. However, taking the game to Pirates at the Orlando Amstel Arena could leave Babina Noko exposed to dangerous counter-attacks.

The two sides will not have to wait long to clash again, as they meet midweek at the Orlando Amstel Arena in a Betway Premiership fixture before renewing hostilties in the MTN8 return leg next weekend.