Sekhukhune Frustrate Pirates – Ouaddou: “We Were Unlucky”

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou lamented his side’s misfortune after the Buccaneers were held to a goalless draw by Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday evening.

The result denied Pirates the chance to reclaim top spot in the Betway Premiership, despite dominating large spells of the game and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Ouaddou, however, remained upbeat about his team’s performance, insisting that only luck stood between them and victory.

“I thought the players delivered a great performance in terms of intensity and chance creation in both halves,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV.

“The ball just refused to go in. That’s football. I have no reproach for my players – they gave everything, stayed disciplined, and were tactically and technically sharp.”

Pirates’ Missed Chances

The Buccaneers carved out several clear openings, with their attacking trio repeatedly testing Sekhukhune goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, who produced a string of outstanding saves. From long-range efforts to close-range headers, Pirates threw everything forward but found Leaner in inspired form.

Ouaddou acknowledged the frustration but praised his players for maintaining composure and sticking to the game plan.

“We were up against a strong side. Of course, we’re disappointed because we deserved the win, but credit to Sekhukhune – they were organised and showed real team spirit,” he said.

Sekhukhune’s Resilience

While Pirates dominated possession, Sekhukhune’s defensive unit, marshalled by Bright Ndlovu and Danny Cardoso, held firm under pressure. Their ability to absorb wave after wave of attacks highlighted the team’s growing maturity, even when struggling to impose themselves offensively.

Head coach Eric Tinkler admitted his side “had to suffer” to secure the point, but the draw showcased their grit against one of the league’s most dangerous attacking outfits.

Ouaddou’s Outlook

Despite the stalemate, Ouaddou struck a confident tone about the road ahead. “I’m not worried. If we keep playing like this, we’ll remain dynamic and the wins will come,” he insisted.

The French-Moroccan tactician emphasized that consistency in performance would eventually translate into results, urging his squad to maintain the same energy and discipline in upcoming fixtures.

What’s Next

Pirates will now turn their attention to their next Premiership clash against Magesi on January 31, where they will be eager to convert dominance into goals and points.

Sekhukhune, meanwhile, face a stern test against Mamelodi Sundowns, who arrive wounded after dropping points in their CAF Champions League draw against Sudanese giants Al Hilal.