Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou says patience was essential in breaking down and eventually overcoming Chippa United in their Betway Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium.
Pirates went joint-top on points with Mamelodi Sundowns after defeating Chippa 2–0 on Tuesday — a match they played without star defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who is in the United States finalising a move to Chicago Fire.
The Soweto giants secured the victory through second-half goals from substitutes Evidence Makgopa (74th minute) and Oswin Appollis (90+4) after sustained dominance. They now sit level with Sundowns on 25 points from 11 matches and still have a game in hand.
With no CAF commitments this season, Pirates have a major opportunity to challenge for their first league title since the 2011/12 campaign.
“Yes, you have to be patient, especially when you play against a low block,” said Ouaddou on SuperSport TV.
“You need to stay calm, keep the ball, control the ball, and find those small spaces behind the back four.
“It wasn’t easy, but in the second half, we got exactly what we had worked on in training — a cross from the side and a sharp, dynamic run into the box.
“The guys deserve congratulations because it’s not easy mentally. They stayed focused. Now we will shift our attention to the next game in Durban against Durban City on Saturday, which will not be easy as well. We are definitely focused on the games ahead.”
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