Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has delivered a strong message to his players following their 3-0 victory over Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Cup, warning that their performance was not good enough for a club with ambitions of winning major trophies.

The Buccaneers secured their place in the quarter-finals after defeating Milford at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. Despite the convincing scoreline, Ouaddou was far from satisfied with what he saw on the pitch.

The Moroccan coach criticised his players for making poor decisions, showing selfishness in attacking situations and failing to maintain control of the match. He insisted that progressing to the next round was not enough if the team wanted to compete for the biggest honours in South African and African football.

Speaking after the match, Ouaddou made his frustration clear.

“When we are playing for such big club, Pirates, we need to wake up. We need to wake up. I’m not here to nurse people,” he said.

His comments have sent a clear warning to the squad as the club prepares for an important period in its season.

Moremi Shines as Pirates Secure Quarter-Final Place

Despite the coach's disappointment, Pirates produced an effective first-half performance to put the contest beyond Milford's reach.

Thapelo Mokobodi opened the scoring in the 15th minute after receiving a well-timed pass from Tshepang Moremi and finishing calmly past the goalkeeper.

Moremi then took centre stage, doubling Pirates' advantage in the 34th minute with a composed finish after breaking through Milford's defensive line.

The winger completed his brace just before half-time, rounding the goalkeeper after receiving a defence-splitting pass from Mpho Padime.

The three goals gave Pirates a comfortable advantage, while their defence ensured Milford failed to find the back of the net.

However, the second half proved frustrating for the home side, which created further opportunities but failed to convert them into additional goals.

Ouaddou Demands Greater Discipline

According to a report by iDiski Times published on 27 October, Ouaddou was particularly unhappy with players who chose to shoot instead of passing to teammates in better positions.

The coach believes such decisions demonstrate a lack of teamwork and could prevent Pirates from achieving their ambitions.

He also questioned why Milford were able to enjoy periods of possession against the defending champions on their home ground.

Ouaddou stressed that representing a club of Pirates' stature required a higher standard of performance, regardless of the opposition or the players selected.

Bigger Challenges Await the Buccaneers

Pirates are targeting success in domestic competitions and continental football, placing additional pressure on the squad to deliver consistent performances.

The victory over Milford secured progress in the Carling Knockout, but Ouaddou's reaction suggests that significant improvements are still required.

For the Buccaneers, the message is unmistakable: winning matches matters, but performance, discipline and teamwork will determine whether they can turn their ambitions into silverware.

Source

https://x.com/i/status/2115180484565295177