Result mattered more to Abdeslam Ouaddou as Pirates edge Sekhukhune

The Buccaneers will host the second leg at their Amstel Arena base this Saturday holding a narrow 1-0 lead, which also counts as an away goal under the competition format, a scenario that pleased Ouaddou.

Speaking after the victory at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, the Morocco-born mentor praised his charges for digging deep to secure a valuable advantage.

"We knew that it would be a difficult game. The history between Sekhukhune have always been difficult, but credit has to be given to the players. In the first half, we had some difficulties to break this block, compact, but I think we managed to use the weaknesses of that team," said Ouaddou

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"The target was to come out with a result. I think it's a thing that the boys did. We succeeded in the first leg. We still have the second leg in a week. For now, we will think about the league game, but overall, we defended."

"We have scored, and after we tried to keep this result with discipline, with the fighting spirit, and really, even if we think that it wasn't beautiful football, but for me, it was the game that we expected.We scored. We didn't concede, and now we will feel for the second leg. So well done for the boys, for the discipline, and for the fighting spirit today."

Ouaddou did make several changes to his line-up, particularly in midfield with Simphiwe Masilela and Mthetheleli Mthiyane getting the nod. 

The coach argued this was also a “winning combination”.  

With Pirates and Sekhukhune facing off twice this coming week, Ouaddou added the first objective of winning one of three had been achieved.

The last time Ouaddou was at the Old Peter Mokaba he came out scathing but this time around the Pirates coach was more respectful.