Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has pleaded for patience from the club’s supporters after playing to a draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers drew 1-1 with Sundowns in the first-leg of the MTN8 last four, with both clubs having it all to do in the second-leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium next weekend.
Sundowns opened the scoring in the first-half courtesy of a powerful header from Teboho Mokoena, while Kamogelo Sebelebele levelled matters for Pirates in the second-half.
Meanwhile, the Soweto giants came into the crucial clash against Masandawana under pressure after losing their opening two matches in the new Betway Premiership season.
Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United in the first match of the league before losing 2-1 a few days later against Marumo Gallants.
Building up to the match against Sundowns, Ouaddou faced criticism for benching some of the key players from the previous season.
The Moroccan mentor has been leaving out players such as Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thalente Mbatha, and Deano Van Rooyen in the matchday squad.
In a match against Downs, Ouaddou brought in Mbatha and Van Rooyen in the starting line-up for the first time since the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
OUADDOU REACTS TO STALEMATE AGAINST SUNDOWNS
After failing to claim a win in the last three matches across all competitions, Ouddou has asked for patience to return to winning ways.
“I think the contents of the match today were interesting, we’ve shown a big character and some strength as well,” Ouaddou said on SuperSport TV.
“We’ve shown decency to play forward and create chances, but in football, you know, sometimes it’s not easy because the results have to match the performance.
“And at the moment, the results are not matching with the performance of the boys, and let’s hope that in the future we will take the results and everything will be aligned. I just pray that our fans are patient. I know this is a big club, but I hope they will be patient with us.”
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