Abdeslam Ouaddou sings Orlando Pirates praises after another cup triumph

The Buccaneers beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 after extra time at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, thanks to a late winner from Relebohile Mofokeng, to clinch the elusive Carling Knockout cup. 

Ouaddou praised his players for sticking to the tactical blueprint throughout a tense 120-minute final. 

"My speech at halftime, to be honest, was to congratulate the boys and to [encourage them] to continue their efforts because I didn't have anything to reproach them for," said Ouaddou.

"But we did make some tactical adjustments, and after we went into extra-time again, we found the net, so it's a [typical] cup game – what can I say? We knew it would be difficult but at least we won a cup again.

"It's the second trophy for the club, and I'm very happy for the players and the fans – before Christmas, it's a wonderful gift for our fans."

Pirates have now lifted their second trophy of the season, adding to the MTN8 title won in September – a historic fourth consecutive top eight crown for the club. 

Ouaddou, a former Marumo Gallants head coach himself, applauded Bahlabane Ba Ntwa for their bravery, but admitted Pirates should have been more ruthless in the final third. 

"We expected a strong side from Marumo, especially because I was a coach in that club so I know the quality of the players and I know how they can be brave, which they were, they took us until extra-time," he added.

"We created and managed to create many chances in the first half, and unfortunately we were not efficient in the box, but the plan was respected – exactly how we wanted to started the game."