Pirates Grind Out Win In Soweto
Orlando Pirates kept their Carling Knockout title hopes alive with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night, but the result didn’t come without frustration for their coach.
The Buccaneers, who have now joined Richards Bay and Golden Arrows in the semifinals, were made to sweat by a determined Magesi side and an inspired Elvis Chipezeze — the Zimbabwean goalkeeper who almost single-handedly kept the visitors in the game.
Chipezeze produced a string of stunning saves in the first half to deny Patrick Maswanganyi, Masindi Nemtajela and Yanela Mbuthuma, frustrating the Soweto crowd. It took a moment of brilliance from Tshepang Moremi early in the second half to finally break the deadlock, his thunderous strike flying into the top corner.
Evidence Makgopa added a second in the dying minutes after a neat assist from Maswanganyi, before Magesi’s Lehlogonolo Mokone pulled one back in stoppage time to make it a tense finish. Pirates held on to book their place in the last four — but their coach was anything but pleased.
Ouaddou Slams ‘Sterile Possession’ And Showboating
Despite the win, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made headlines for his post-match outburst. Speaking after the match, the Moroccan tactician lashed out at his players for what he called “sterile possession” and unnecessary “circus” football in the closing stages.
“My big disappointment was the last 15 minutes,” said Ouaddou. “If we want to be ambitious, we have to stop this nonsense of playing small passes for fun. I’m not here to go to the circus — I’m here to improve players and win games.”
His frustration boiled down to the team’s decision to indulge in showboating after taking a 2-0 lead, which allowed Magesi to pull a goal back late on.
“South Africa is a fantastic football country with great traditions,” he added. “But we have to find balance. Fans love flair, and that’s fine, but goals win matches. Making 30 passes in five square metres is not progress.”
Looking Ahead To Sundowns Clash
The Buccaneers will need to put their coach’s words into action quickly. They face Mamelodi Sundowns in a high-stakes Betway Premiership clash this Saturday in Tshwane — a fixture that could define their league ambitions this season.
For Magesi, the dream of defending their Carling Knockout crown is over. Coach John Maduka’s side will now regroup ahead of their upcoming Premiership match against Orbit College in Rustenburg.
As for Pirates, the semifinal ticket is secured — but if Ouaddou has his way, the real test starts now.
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Source: SuperSport
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