By Dylan Bettencourt
- Orlando Pirates beat Magesi FC 2-1 to reach the Carling Knockout semifinals, but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was furious with how the team finished.
- Ouaddou said the players turned the final minutes into a “circus” and warned them to focus on goals, not flashy football.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou didn’t hold back after his side’s 2-1 Carling Knockout quarterfinal win over Magesi FC.
Despite the victory, the Buccaneers boss was angry at how his players ended the match. He accused them of “sterile possession” and playing “circus” football instead of finishing strongly.
“We started well with high intensity, and I’m proud of how we executed the game plan,” said Ouaddou. “By half-time, we could’ve been five goals up.”
But his tone changed when he spoke about the final 15 minutes.
“We must stop this nonsense. If we want to go forward, we must stop playing small passes in one corner like we’re in a circus,” he said. “We conceded because of it. We needed a clean sheet.”
Ouaddou said the team should focus on scoring goals rather than showing off with flashy moves.
“I respect the culture here, South Africa is a football-loving country, but we must find the balance between making a show and doing our job,” he said.
The former player added that while he enjoys entertaining football, it should always have purpose.
“You can make 20 to 30 passes and still go forward. But making 30 passes in five square metres? That’s not interesting,” he said.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates.
Image source: @orlandopirates
