Orlando Pirates boss eyes cup redemption after CAF heartbreak

The Buccaneers edged Richards Bay 1-0 in Saturday’s semi-final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, booking their place in the final where they’ll face the winner between Golden Arrows and Marumo Gallants.

Reflecting on the result, Ouaddou admitted the disappointment of falling short in continental competition still lingers but believes winning domestic silverware would be the perfect response.

"I think you bring on a table a subject that of course is very important for the club. It's very difficult because it was one of our targets, let's see what the future will say. For now we are focusing on the league, we are focusing on the rest of the competitions that we are trying to give our best to win them,” Ouaddou said. 

“The lights are still green for the other competitions and you can be sure that the players, the staff, will give 100% to try to reach that target but of course we cannot hide this disappointment of the CAF because it was one of our target but let's believe in this one star, we don't know what happened."

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What did go Pirates’ way this week was Ouaddou leading his charges to victory in the Betway Premiership against Arrows midweek and ending their lengthy stay in KZN with reaching a cup final. 

"The cup games are always difficult, you can win those kinds of games in small details and it's what we have done today especially after playing three days before against Golden Arrows,” the coach added.

“We played against a compact block, aggressive team that didn't give us many spaces. We had to be patient and to find the space behind the line, the back four, in order to score. 

“I think my players were brave, they had a lot of resilience today and I have to congratulate them for that. I think the mission coming to Durban was to take three points against Golden Arrows and to qualify for the final of the Carling Cup."