Ouaddou: They Get Out The Champagne Before The End

Orlando Pirates failed to win the Betway Premiership League title on Saturday when they played to a goalless draw against Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena, and coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said that that was the kind of game they expected from their opponents.

Ouaddou said that this is football, and many thought Pirates had already won the title, and they got the champagne before the end.

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Addressing the media after the game on Saturday, Ouaddou said that despite the draw on Saturday, they are still in for the league title with one game to go.

"I think about the game, we had exactly the game that we expected. We knew that Durban City would come with some ideas, of course, because they still have some targets to finish in the Top Eight. We have prepared well. I think that the first half that we have played was a bit far from my expectations in terms of intensity, in terms of rhythm.

“Because the plan was the first half of the game, 15-20 minutes, you know, to put really high pressure to suffocate that team in order maybe to score early. But I think it didn't happen, it could not happen when we started so slowly, you know, and maybe a lack of aggressiveness in our first half. We did manage to create so many chances, you know, in the first half. But I think that in the second half, especially in the last 40-30 minutes, we have seen really the face that we usually see of Orlando Pirates you know. A lot of intensity with the aim to go forward, to hurt the opponent, and to have this projection in the last third. I think we shot, we got 30 shots, I think, 12-10 on the target. It's not enough to win this kind of game”, said the Bucs mentor.

So, of course, we wanted to offer the three points," Ouaddou told the media.

Meanwhile, the coach further added that they were not yet thinking about the league title.

"I want to be clear, not the title, because a lot of people were celebrating before they got out the champagne before the end. We are clear for us. For us, it was three points. The target was to take three points in front of our fans. It didn't happen. But if you remember what I've been saying since the beginning of the season, in the middle, that the title will be decided, maybe at the last game. And we are in. So, I'm really confident. And my players have to be confident as well. It's the beauty of the PSL. Durban City came to play a strong game, and it shows the interest in this PSL.

"Nobody gives up. And, of course, we can be disappointed. But I think for the interest of the PSL, it's really good. It means that we keep the suspense until the end. Something that you didn't have for eight years. It was unusual for you, I think. Because during eight years you knew one month before who was going to be a champion. So, let's push for one more week. And we hope to really give the happiness, the joy to our fans the last game. But it will not be easy as well. It will not be easy as well because we are going to play against a team that is trying to save its position in the PSL. So, let's go. Let's go to grab it. I think it's a big challenge for next week," Ouaddou explained.

Pirates have one important game against Orbit College on 23rd May to win the Betway Premiership League title. They need three points from that to clinch the title, which they last won in 2012.

Currently, Pirates are on 66 points from 29 games and a second to Sundowns who have 68 points from 30 games.

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