By Dylan Bettencourt
- Orlando Pirates beat Saint-Éloi Lupopo 3-0 at Orlando Stadium but lost 5-4 on penalties, ending their CAF Champions League campaign.
- Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou defended his decision to play without a striker, saying it was a tactical move against a deep defence.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has defended his game plan after his side’s painful exit from the CAF Champions League on Saturday.
The Buccaneers beat Saint-Éloi Lupopo 3-0 at Orlando Stadium – but it wasn’t enough to overturn the first-leg deficit. The tie finished 3-3 on aggregate, and Pirates were knocked out 5-4 on penalties.
Ouaddou faced criticism for starting without a recognised striker, even though the team needed at least four goals to advance. Tshegofatso Mabasa was left on the bench, while Bafana Bafana forward Evidence Makgopa didn’t make the matchday squad.
But Ouaddou stood firm, saying it was all part of the plan. “We knew they’d sit in a low block,” he said. “So we used a false No 9 to drag them out of position. It was a tactical choice.”
Pirates created plenty of chances but failed to find the fourth goal that would have completed the comeback. Goals from Masindi Nemtajela, Yanela Mbuthuma and Oswin Appollis forced the penalty shootout, but misses from Deon Hotto and Mbuthuma ended their campaign.
Ouaddou also left out midfield star Thalente Mbatha, saying squad rotation was needed because of a busy fixture list. The team now turn their focus to Tuesday’s Carling Knockout quarterfinal against Magesi FC.
“We did our best,” Ouaddou said. “I know supporters are disappointed, but they saw how the boys fought. We need to keep calm and focus on our targets.”
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates in action.
Image source: @orlandopirates
