Orlando Pirates missed a massive chance to edge closer to the Betway Premiership title after being held to a 0-0 draw by Durban City. But coach Abdeslam Ouaddou isn't panicking ahead of the final day. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has refused to sound the alarm over the possibility of the Betway Premiership title slipping away from the Buccaneers following their frustrating goalless draw against Durban City FC.
Pirates missed a major opportunity to win the championship after failing to break down a disciplined Durban City side at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. The result means the title race will now be decided on the final day of the season with Pirates still chasing down Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pirates are now two points behind the Brazilians and nothing short of a victory against the Mswenko Boys will break their 14 year wait for a league title. Despite the disappointment surrounding the result, Ouaddou remained remarkably calm after the match and instead shifted focus toward ensuring his players respond strongly in their final fixture against Orbit College FC next weekend.
“I just want to say to my players, ‘go and take this title in the last game’, and we will do it',” said Ouaddou.
“I don’t have much else to say to my boys, they gave their best. We could have converted some opportunities in both the first and second half, but today the ball just didn’t want to go into the net.”
The Buccaneers dominated possession for large periods against Durban City but struggled to create the ruthless cutting edge that has blown away opponents at various stages of the campaign.
Instead, frustration slowly crept into the atmosphere inside Orlando Amstel Arena as Pirates failed to find the breakthrough goal supporters desperately searched for. Still, Ouaddou insisted the drama unfolding around the title race was always expected.
“It’s football, and we keep the suspense until the end,” he continued. “I said it at the beginning and in the middle of the season that the title would probably be played for until the final day.”
The former Moroccan international also praised Durban City for refusing to arrive in Soweto simply looking to survive.
“You can see that the sporting spirit is there. Durban City came here, and they played,” he explained. “I like it because it keeps the suspense alive for the football lovers in South Africa.”
Pirates now head into the final week of the season under enormous pressure knowing only victory may realistically keep their title hopes alive. However, Ouaddou appears determined to ensure panic does not creep into his dressing room during the decisive final stretch.
“I’m not worried, to be honest,” he added. “I can be disappointed because we didn’t win — we wanted to dedicate a victory to our fans, but it didn’t happen. Let’s go and take it next weekend.”