Pirates go level with Sundowns as Ouaddou’s bench makes the difference

Pirates defeated Chippa United 2–0 at Orlando Stadium last night, with both goals coming from substitutes. Evidence Makgopa and Oswin Appollis stepped off the bench to secure victory late in the game.

The result lifts Pirates to 25 points after 11 matches, while also retaining a game in hand.

Ouaddou has been instilling strong principles within his squad since his arrival, and now it’s paying off.

"It's very important for a coach to install a team spirit in the club. I usually say that you can usually win games tactically and technically, but there is one very important stone in the foundation, and that is values.

"I'm very happy to have players with a big heart and good values in the dressing room."

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Ouaddou was happy with the patience his team showed throughout the game. Even when Chippa United showed some resistance for more than 70 minutes, the former Moroccan international captain never stopped believing in his team.

After 11 games played this season in the league, Pirates continue to have the best defensive record, having conceded only five goals, and Ouaddou has shared how their improved defensive organisation has come about...

"I always say that we don't defend with two or three players, for me, defending is an art, and its very important for us to know when, where, and how we want to recover the ball. My players understand exactly what I want, and I have to congratulate them for their work since the beginning of the season."

Meanwhile, Ouaddou gave a diplomatic answer when he was asked about the imminent departure of the club’s captain and rock-solid Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

It emerged this past weekend that Mbokazi is on the verge of moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) club Chicago Fire in an estimated R51 million move, but Ouaddou played his cards very close to his chest.

"Im not aware about this news. For me, Mbokazi is still my player."