‘We kick the ball in the stand’: Ouaddou frustrated by Pirates’ lack of finishing

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was left frustrated despite his team’s 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon.

Mpho Padime scored the only goal of the match to send the Buccaneers into the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup.

Ouaddou, though, was not entirely pleased with his team’s performance, admitting that there was still plenty of work to be done.

Speaking after the match, the Pirates coach expressed concern over his team’s lack of control and their tendency to give away possession cheaply.

“We will have to work on the control because everything was not perfect. Yes, I’m happy to go to the semi-final, but not like that. We have to improve,” he said.

Ouaddou not happy with Pirates win

“I’d like to have more control; we are panicking sometimes for nothing.

“We are losing cheap balls in the heart of the game. We have the opportunity to kill the game. We kick the ball in the stand; we still have a lot of work.”

Orlando Pirates will discover their semi-final opponents on Sunday when the remaining quarter-final matches are played.

Many Buccaneers supporters will be hoping for a showdown against Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs, which would set up the second Soweto Derby of the season.

Ouaddou knows his side will need to be clinical if Pirates are to retain the Carling Knockout Cup. He has a few weeks to work on the team’s finishing before their anticipated CAF Champions League clash against Simba.