POLOKWANE – Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has leapt to the defense of his players following a frustrating 0-0 draw against Sekhukhune United this afternoon. Despite dominating possession and carving out several clear-cut opportunities, the Buccaneers failed to find the back of the net, missing a golden chance to reclaim the top spot in the Betway Premiership.
Speaking to the media post-match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, a composed but visibly disappointed Ouaddou insisted that his team’s performance was “on point” tactically, blaming the result on a lack of luck in the final third.
“No Reproaches”: Ouaddou’s Post-Match Verdict
The Moroccan tactician refused to blame his strikers for the scoreless draw, instead praising the intensity his squad maintained throughout the 90 minutes.
“The players did well in terms of intensity and creating chances in both the first and second half,” Ouaddou said. “But unfortunately, this ball didn’t want to go inside the net. It’s football, and to be honest, I don’t have anything to reproach my players for. They gave everything—technically and tactically, they were on point.”
The Stats Behind the Stalemate
While the scoreline remained blank, the underlying numbers suggest Pirates did everything but score.
- Dominance: Pirates controlled roughly 60% of the ball, completing close to 90% of their passes.
- The “Leaner” Wall: Sekhukhune goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner was the thorn in Pirates’ side, producing a point-blank save from a Nkosinathi Sibisi header in the 41st minute and a heroic 92nd-minute stop to deny Kamogelo Sebelebele.
- Defensive Solidity: On a positive note, the new center-back pairing of Sibisi and Lebone Seema looked impenetrable, restricting “Babina Noko” to zero shots on target throughout the match.
Not Worried for the Title Race
The result leaves Pirates level on points with Mamelodi Sundowns (31 points) but remaining in second place on goal difference. Crucially, however, the Buccaneers still hold a game in hand over their Pretoria rivals.
“I’m not worried if we can continue to play like that,” Ouaddou added. “For sure, we will continue to be dynamic and winning games. My players went over the limit today, but it was just not the day, and we have to respect that.”
