Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou has downplayed his early success after leading the Soweto giants to the Carling Knockout Cup final following their 1-0 victory over Richards Bay at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
It marks another final for Ouaddou in less than two months at the helm, having taken charge in July to replace the much-loved José Riveiro during the off-season.
Pirates successfully defended their MTN8 title in September, beating Stellenbosch FC at Mbombela Stadium, and now find themselves on the brink of another piece of silverware.
Tshepang Moremi, just as he was in that MTN8 final, proved the hero once again, drilling home just before halftime in Durban after receiving a well-weighted pass from Oswin Appollis and firing across the face of goal to beat Ian Otieno.
This will be Pirates’ first appearance in the Carling Knockout Cup final in seven years. They will face the winner between Golden Arrows and Marumo Gallants on 6 December. Arrows and Gallants meet at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, with the PSL yet to confirm the final venue.
“I think it’s too soon to summarise my work — I’ll be judged at the end of the season,” said Ouaddou after the match. “I’m still at the beginning.”
Pirates are also in a strong position in the Betway Premiership, sitting second on the table with 22 points from 10 matches — three behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played two games more.
“In this job, you have to be very humble,” Ouaddou added. “Our ambition is to deliver a good performance in every game, and that’s what we did today and three days ago against Golden Arrows in the league.
“The boys have been doing a great job in the three months I’ve been here. But if you ask me to summarise my season now, it’s too soon. Let’s stay humble and keep working.”
With the Carling Knockout Cup final to be played in two months, Moses Mabhida Stadium and Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane are the frontrunners to host the showpiece event.
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