Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed his disappointment with his team's performance despite their comfortable 3-0 victory over Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 on Tuesday evening. Although the result secured the Buccaneers a place in the quarter-finals, the coach made it clear that he expected a better display from his players.

The Soweto giants achieved their main objective by winning the match and continuing their pursuit of the Carling Knockout trophy. However, Ouaddou was not satisfied with the way his team managed the game, particularly their ability to maintain control during different stages of the encounter. His reaction showed that he believes there is more to a successful performance than scoring goals and securing a victory.

Speaking after the match, the Pirates coach openly admitted that his team had not played the way he wanted.

"I was not happy about how we played, we didn’t have the control," Ouaddou said.

His comments suggest that the team's performance fell short of his expectations, even though the final score appeared convincing. For a coach who wants his side to compete for major honours, controlling possession, managing the pace of a match and making good decisions under pressure are important parts of the game. These elements can become even more important when facing stronger opponents in the later stages of a cup competition.

The 3-0 victory nevertheless represents a positive result for Orlando Pirates. Progressing through the Round of 16 means the team remains in the competition and has another opportunity to challenge for silverware. In knockout football, the ability to win and advance is particularly important because one poor result can bring a team's campaign to an end.

For the players and supporters, the three goals will provide encouragement. However, Ouaddou's reaction indicates that he is not prepared to judge his team's progress by the scoreline alone. He wants his players to demonstrate greater authority on the pitch and show better control when managing matches.

His assessment also highlights the standards he is trying to establish within the squad. Winning games is important, but producing consistent performances is equally necessary for a team hoping to compete successfully across different competitions.

As Orlando Pirates prepare for the next stage of the Carling Knockout, Ouaddou will be looking for improvements in the areas that concerned him against Milford FC. The team will need to build on the confidence gained from the victory while working to deliver more complete performances.

Despite the coach's dissatisfaction, the Buccaneers have taken an important step towards their goal of lifting the trophy. Their progress to the quarter-finals gives them another chance to demonstrate their quality, but Ouaddou's remarks make it clear that he expects more from his players as the competition continues.

source:

https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2115173234450514239