Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says their win was important to keep their momentum ahead of a massive league clash away to Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend, but also reiterated they are “not here to joke” on the pitch.
Pirates secured a place in the semi-final of the Carling Knockout Cup, just three days after their surprise CAF Champions League exit before the group stage proper, after a penalty shootout loss to St Eloi Lupopo.
Despite an incredible three-goal comeback from the first leg, it wasn’t enough for the Buccaneers, but Ouaddou notes that the positive momentum from back to back victories is an important psychological advantage going into their next fixtures.
“It’s very important to reach the semi-final, because it’s a cup game, an important competition for us, of course we won the last game in the Champions League [against Lupopo] but we know the result, we didn’t qualify,” Ouaddou said.
“So it was very important to win and keep this confidence we have, this hope, to be ambitious and you know we have an important game to follow [against Sundowns], so it’s very important to keep this dynamic, especially at home, with this win.
“The only bad point was the goal we conceded, I was very frustrated, I’m not happy about that goal because I wanted to keep this clean sheet.”
‘We’re not here to joke’
Having missed out on a clean sheet and not been as clinical as Ouaddou emphasises on several occasions that he would have liked he stated there’s now worries, as players who aren’t ready to be serious, will likely not feature until they are.
“I think we don’t have to be worried – it’s just as a coach, I want to attract the attention of my players, that football is [about] scoring goals and when you have the possibilities to score goals, score goals,” Ouaddou said.
“Because at the end of the league [campaign], every goal are important, so don’t joke, we’re not here to joke, we’re here to perform, to get results.
“So if someone wants to enjoy joking, no problem, he can go play five-a-side with his friends, we’re not here to joke. We’re here to reach some targets.”
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