Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has insisted that even when people started to doubt their title credentials, he never lost hope, thanks to his “experience”.
“I have the humility to say that I played a little bit of football [during his heyday he played for teams like English topflight side Fulham and Greek giants Olympiacos] not to say too much ... I played in some interesting leagues as well and I just have some experience and I know that you can’t sell a bear’s skin before you kill the bear,” Ouaddou explained.
“A lot of people were already saying we had lost the title, but I knew that as long as we were still mathematically in it, we had to continue playing and I tried to explain that to the people.”
On Saturday night, the Buccaneers beat Magesi 3-0 to maintain their advantage in the title race, needing to win their last two games against Durban City and Orbit College to be the champions for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
Patrick Maswanganyi, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Oswin Appollis were on target for the Sea Robbers against bottom-placed Magesi at Peter Mokaba Stadium, where Sipho Chaine kept his 19th clean sheet of the season, setting a new record of most clean sheets by a goalkeeper in a single PSL season.
Drawing against Siwelele and Richards Bay home and away in March and April respectively, prompted many to doubt Pirates’ title credentials until their rivals in the championship Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points drawing 1-all against Kaizer Chiefs at home last week.
Sundowns’ draw against Chiefs saw the title race tilt back in Pirates’ favour. Sundowns are still top of the table, three points behind Bucs, who’ve played two games fewer with a stronger goal difference, meaning they’d be champions if they win their last two games. Downs face TS Galaxy in their last fixture away on Tuesday.
The Brazilians’ final league games was brought forward because they will be playing a two-legged CAF Champions League final home and away on May 17 and 24.
Pirates’ last two games
Saturday: v Durban (H)
May 23: v Orbit (A)
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