Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou slammed his players for what he called “sterlile possession” and “small passes” in the last stages of their Carling Knockout quarterfinal, calling their showboating in the closing stages “a circus”.
Pirates advanced past holders Magesi 2-1 in Tuesday’s tie at the Orlando Pirates and join Lamontville Golden Arrows and Richards Bay in the semifinals.
But Ouaddou was angry with the way that Pirates finished the game, giving up a late goal to Magesi defender Johnny Mokone after Tshepang Moremi and Evidence Makgopa had Pirates 2-0 up with second half goals.
“My big disappointment was the last 15 minute, and it's the first time I will address that. If we want to be more ambitious, if we want to go forward, we have to stop this nonsense of playing a sterile position and to enjoy playing small passes,” he said.
“I think if we want to do this, we have to go to the circus. I'm not here to go to the circus or to play circus. I'm here to improve my players, to go forward, and we have to stop this nonsense, because at the end, we conceded a goal, and the target was not to concede but to finish with the clean sheet. So I think we have to improve on that if we want to be more ambitious.”
Ouaddou said goals were the most important thing in the game not entertaining, even if South African fans enjoyed showboating.
“I'm respecting a lot of culture, the traditions, I've come to a fantastic country. It's a land of football, South Africa,” he added.
“But we have to find the right balance. It's okay because it's a cup game. But in the league, every goal is very important, especially at the end (of the season).
“So, for me, as long you make passes, you can make 20,-30 passes to make the show. I'm happy for that. I was a football player as well. And I like the show. But you must go forward and to finish the action. But if you stay in the same position, in the same place, and to make 30 passes in five square metres … that’s not interesting.
The coach’s overall analysis of the game was positive, however.
“We started with the high intensity we wanted, to put pressure on the opponent to try to score early,” Ouaddou said.
“I think the boys did a fantastic game in terms of what we wanted to execute today. We managed to create a lot of chances. I think that by halftime, we could have lead with five goals. So it's a positive point. So I'd like to congratulate my boys for that. It was important to take this victory and to go through the next stage.”
