Abdeslam Ouaddou 'delighted' with Orlando Pirates' win over Stellenbosch but unhappy with display - 'We lost the control! We can't accept that'

Orlando Pirates were desperate for maximum points when they hosted Stellenbosch in the Premier Soccer League outing staged at the Orlando Stadium.

The Soweto giants had started life without Jose Riveiro with a 2-0 win over Polokwane City in an MTN8 quarterfinal.

However, they followed up with back-to-back losses in the PSL against Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants, respectively.

They then drew 1-1 with Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final played last weekend at the Orlando Stadium.

On Wednesday night, a moment of magic from Kamogelo Sebelebele stole maximum points for his new team.

The strike was his second in a row after a late equaliser, which denied Masandawana a crucial MTN8 win a couple of days ago.

The victory against Stellies eased pressure on coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who further insisted it was a gift for the fans.

“Of course, delighted, delighted for the fans because I have a thought for them because they were waiting for these three points since now two, three weeks, so I have thought first of all for them,” the tactician said after the win.

“I would like to congratulate my boys because they have got the character as well. 

"We had a very interesting first half, we created top chances, we could have killed the game earlier," Ouaddou added.

However, the former Marumo Gallants coach was unhappy with the way his team played after the break.

“In the second half, I think that we lost the control, and I think we have to improve that if we want to go higher. We cannot accept that to lose control in a game that we controlled since the beginning.

“Look, because I’m looking for positional game, I’m looking for space between the lines, but modern football has to balance the opponent.

“Sometimes you need to identify the free space, and they did it well. We have to diversify our style of play, not only that, but it was interesting today," Ouaddou concluded. 

The Soweto giants will now hope to build on the win and deliver consistently in the next PSL assignments in their bid to push for silverware.

Nevertheless, the biggest challenge so far will be on Saturday against Mamelodi Sundowns in the second leg of the MTN8 semi final with the teams delicately poised at 1-1 after the first leg at Orlando Stadium.