Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou expressed mixed emotions after their draw against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
While he praised his team’s fantastic goal, Ouaddou admitted to being slightly disappointed, feeling that they could have capitalized on the chances they created.
This was the third meeting between the two teams this season, following their 1-1 draws in both legs of the MTN8 semifinals.
“I took this decision to play with this formation and we scored a fantastic goal,” Ouaddou said.
“It was a game between one of the two best teams on the continent, and you know, in that kind of game, you don’t have a lot of chances.
“I think in this kind of game, you only get two or three chances, then you have to score them.
“So, of course, if we can go a little bit with our ambition, I think we’re disappointed because we could have definitely scored, because you can see how we created the chances. But let’s not be tough, but keep working, and we still have another game at home, and we will prepare well.”
The Buccaneers are still searching for a league win against Sundowns away, with their last victory dating back to 2018 when they won 3-1.
Despite the draw, Pirates showed promise, but Ouaddou emphasized the importance of small details in deciding the outcome of big games.
“These kinds of games you win them in small details on how you can see and scan your partner in the box,” he added.
“Sometimes I always say to my players that you need to have the same feeling when you score a goal and when you give an assist to your teammate.
“As long as you have the same feeling, you will be able to have some efficiency in the box. I think we felt a little bit of awareness and scanning in the box to see how many partners you have on your left side to give the ball and score.
“So, it’s small details, and you win the games all the time in the zone and the area of the truth, of which it’s your box and the opponent’s box, and you have to be efficient in the area of the opponent and also be disciplined in your area and not concede.”
The draw saw Pirates move to third position with 19 points in nine games, while Sundowns maintain their log lead with 22 points in 11 games. The Buccaneers will look to bounce back against Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday, while Sundowns will host TS Galaxy at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
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