Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the best team did not advancer to the group stages of the CAF Champions League after their elimination to St Eloi Lupopo.
Pirates suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat despite an incredible three-goal comeback from the first leg in Congo.
The heroics at Orlando Stadium weren’t enough for last season’s semi-finalists to overcome the challenge of the Linafoot outfit at a sold out eSgodini – in what could have been a memorable outing in the history books of the Soweto giants.
“We had an important game with a tough target of coming back with three goals, so our strategy was with a false nine to move the three defenders who sit and create space for the others,” Ouaddou said after the match.
“We created chances in the first half, and the plan was to bring in a striker in the second half – we played the game we wanted, that we planned, unfortunately it was not enough, we can’t blame the players.
“To come back with that environment we had in Congo – but I’m very sad for them and the club as well, the best team today did not go to the stage of the Champions League but it’s the reality of football, we congratulate the opponent, they used their weapons.
“But the best team did not go through to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.”