Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says two key omissions from the squad were tactical decisions and rotation of the squad.
Ahead of their second leg CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie, where they needed to overturn a 3-0 loss against St Eloi Lupopo; Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa were major names not in the matchday squad.
Pirates went on to win 3-0 but fell in the penalty shootout, in a heartbreaking exit from Africa’s elite club competition, where they reached the semi-final stage last season.
With the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, against reigning champions Magesi, who ousted them from the competition last season, Ouaddou noted the needed to keep his squad fresh.
“Regarding the profile of the opponent and game, we knew this team will come and adapt with a very low block, so we wanted to try this false nine, someone who is able to keep the ball up front in small spaces and at the same time to push the defence to be dragged out of position,” Ouaddou said.
“So it was a tactical choice [to not have Makgopa] and at the same time, we’re playing many competitions, as you said, in terms of rotation, in a few days we need a competitive team as well.”
Pirates host the Limpopo-based outfit on Tuesday evening at Orlando Stadium with the game kicking off at 19h00.
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
