Pirates coach: ‘I was pushing for the fifth and sixth!’
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Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. (Photo: Gallo Images)
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Pirates coach: ‘I was pushing for the fifth and sixth!’
Oct 23, 2026 – 11:25 pm
By Clifton Mabasa
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was all smiles as he reflected on his side’s successful return to the CAF Champions League group stage after their victory over African Stars FC.
The Buccaneers booked their place in the group stage with a convincing 4-0 win over the Namibian champions at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday night in the second leg of the second preliminary round.
Pirates had claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Botswana last weekend, securing a 5-0 aggregate triumph to progress to the next phase of the competition.
Speaking to SABC Sport after the match, Ouaddou expressed his delight at seeing his side achieve one of their targets for the season, while also acknowledging the disappointment of missing out on the group stage last campaign.
“Yes, you’re right, it was important for us to come back in the Champions League, you know, because we felt sorry for our fans last season,” Ouaddou said.
“I love to say a Champions League without Pirates, it’s not the same taste. So we come back, happy for the fans, happy for the club. It was one of the targets.
“Credit has to be given to the boys. We know that we had a difficult first half, not even we scored two goals, but in terms of control, it was not what I was expecting and after the second half was much, much better in terms of control.
“We managed to score again two goals. So and we managed to bring some young players as well to give them some experience of that competition. They did very well. I think it’s a positive.”
With Pirates now through to the group stage, Ouaddou has urged his players to turn their attention to their next assignment in the cup competition, while acknowledging the demands that await them in Africa.
“Now, let’s focus on the next game in the Cup. But we really want to achieve something great in the Champions League. We know that it’s another competition, very physical and another type of football. And we will have to adapt, but very happy, very happy for the club.”
The Sea Robbers mentor also explained why he continued pushing his players to find the net even after they had established a comfortable lead, while making it clear that he had no problem with them entertaining the supporters.
“Of course, the goals, even at 4-0, I was pushing the guys to score the fifth one, the sixth one,” he added.
“My proudness is we scored four goals and we didn’t concede. So and the guys, when they score four goals, they can enjoy. You see, I didn’t say nothing.
“Popo [Padime] can make, can climb on the ball. Masilela can make showboating, you see, I don’t have any problem. But you need to score four goals.”
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