Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou to critics: ‘Let me do my work,’ admits derby blunder & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news, including coach Abdeslam Ouaddou hitting out at his critics while admitting he made a tactical blunder in the Soweto derby.

Latest Orlando Pirates News

Ouaddou hits back at his Pirates critics

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has told off his critics over what he feels is interference from people who do not understand the dynamics of coaching.

The Pirates coach watched his team secure a hard-fought 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby on Saturday but was not impressed by how his team played in the first half when Yanela Mbuthuma scored after 24 minutes before Pule Mmodi equalised six minutes later.

Tshepang Moremi won it for the Buccaneers in the 55^th minute.

“Yes, it was a derby, we know the spirit of the derby. I think every team had its half, you can say that Kaizer Chiefs had the first half unfortunately they didn’t take the chance and after we came with intention in the second half, we made some changes in terms of players but tactically as well,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV post-match.

“We have seen the real face of Pirates in the second half, it means the team is resilient, solid, able to play, able to be sold and to score – this is the values of Pirates. So, I’m proud coach, I’m really thank the players.”

Ouaddou also used the opportunity to hit out at those who have been questioning his tactics and selection.

“Look, in modern football you have to be efficient, ruthless, you need to complete and it’s the face that I try to give to Pirates as I’m here to be able to play. Sometimes we’re able to play good football sometimes not,” he added.

“Sometimes, people who played football at the high-level, I cannot tell you why, but I feel, see things, this thing you don’t read them in the book only if you have played football. So, sometimes people are judging but please let me do my work,” Ouaddou said.

Ouaddou admits big tactical mistake

Meanwhile, Ouaddou has taken blame for his tactical adjustment that saw Deon Hotto start at right-back, a position he struggled in, before was moved to his usual left-back at halftime.

Pirates struggled to cope with Chiefs in the first half but the Moroccan coach is thankful that his gamble did not prove costly to the team.

“For the first time I will not blame my players, the one we will have to blame for the first half is the coach,” he said after the game.

“I did it wrong, I tried to surprise the opponent, making some tactical choices that were not spot on so I think that coach Ouaddou put his team in trouble in the first half. I could have cost the game but sometimes you have to be honest.

“Thank God we came at halftime at 1-1 and we made some tactical adjustments and we changed some players, we put some players at the right position, we asked some movements from the players, especially in the middle in terms of retention of the ball, to try and imbalance the opponent and I think in the second half we were spot on.”