Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says he’s not entirely happy about the 3-0 win over Lioli FC this afternoon but was pleased with their impact in the second half.
The Lesotho Premier League champions held last season’s semi-finalists of the competition until the break at 0-0, in their first round preliminary Champions League qualifier at Toyota Stadium.
However, Tshegofasto Mabasa bagged a brace and a stunning effort from Oswin Appollis, teed him by substitute Tshepang Moremi proved the difference in Free State.
“No I don’t think like that [being one foot into the next round], as long as we haven’t finished the second leg [yet],” Ouaddou said after the 3-0 win via SABC Sport.
“We did a good game, we respected the plan, we have respected the plan, congratulations to the boys but it’s still only the first half and I can’t be 100% satisfied, because I still think we could have score more goals.
“Especially in the first half, we never found the space to go forward or behind their back-four because of the tactics of the opponent, they played well as well – but I’m happy for the second half as we made changes and brought in some speed on the [wings]. We tried to stretch them to find some space…”
Pirates will remain in Bloemfontein for a league outing against out of sorts Siwelele at the same stadium on Tuesday, where victory could see them rise into the top four, depending on other results.
And they will be brimming with confidence as star forward Mabasa, who was a notable absentee from the starting line-up in the opening games of the season – where they stumbled to defeats in their opening two games – is back in form.
“We thought in the first half our midfielders were a bit far from Mabasa and it’s a guy that needs players close to him to [provide service] so we decided to bring somebody close to him, to play forward, to pass forward, as we did against Stellenbosch, we brought Moremi in to bring service into the box,” he said.
“It’s good for the guys, I’m happy… we’re going to rest now because we have an important game in the league now. I would like to thank our fans, everywhere we go they are fantastic, our 12th man, the boys need them and we expect them also to pack the stadium at home in the second leg.”
