Abdeslam Ouaddou maintains confidence despite Orlando Pirates' home defeat by Sekhukhune United in PSL clash - 'It's the beginning; nothing is lost'

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has chosen to remain confident despite Orlando Pirates' defeat by Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.   

A goal by Siphesihle Mkhize swept Pirates at their own turf, but Ouaddou believes there are positive aspects to be picked from the game despite the outcome.

“I think we were dominant. We created a lot of chances, very important chances that we could’ve scored,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV.

"But it’s the way of football; when we are not decisive in the box in the finishing, of course, the opponent can have some chances, and they had one chance, and they put it on the set-pieces," he added. 

“So, yeah, but there are a lot of interesting things we have to keep believing. It’s the beginning. Of cours,e we wanted to show a lot of faith today to win again to confirm again.

The former Marumo Gallants coach said his players were impressive and were just unlucky that they could not collect a point. Going forward, the Moroccan said they need to keep believing because it is just the beginning. 

“But the team played well. We were very well organised, created many chances, and played some nice football. But let’s keep believing," Ouaddou continued.

"I think when you see the behaviour of the players during the game, the intensity they put in, we needed just to score because, yeah, we hit the post, we had the last pass, maybe a lack of finishing," he stated. 

“But let’s focus on the next game; it’s the beginning, nothing is lost. I think we have to believe."

After a convincing win over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final, Pirates failed to carry the momentum into their PSL opening game.

This faulty start to the new campaign has come at a critical time for both the coach and his players; the result can affect their morale, and to complicate matters even more, they are scheduled to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final in a matter of days.  

The Buccaneers will be away to Marumo Gallants on August 12 for their second league game.    

Four days later, they will host Sundowns for the MTN8 semi-final clash.