Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has spoken out on teams applying delay tactics in the CAF inter-club competitions, stating that he doesn’t ‘buy the behaviour’.
Pirates were thrown out of the CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round after losing 5-4 on penalties against Saint Eloi-Lupopo at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Last weekend, the Buccaneers suffered a shock 3-0 defeat against Lupopo away from home in the first-leg of the Champions League tie. Pirates overturned the scoreline at Orlando Stadium after scoring three goals to force a 3-3 draw, but they fell short in the penalty shootout.
In the second leg, Lupopo applied a low block against Pirates and often delayed the match to protect their lead and whittle down the clock. This approach to matches is synonymous with the Champions League and Confederation Cup football, and Ouaddou has weighed in on whether Pirates would consider such tactics.
The former Marumo Gallants mentor condemned the behaviour of killing the rhythm of the match, emphasising the importance of setting a good example for the upcoming generation of players.
OUADDOU CONDEMNS ‘BAD BEHAVIOUR’ FROM LUPOPO
“I’m not buying this behaviour. It’s very important to show a good example, I always say that football is a bridge between the countries and the people,” Ouaddou said.
“We have a duty as professional players to all these young children who are dreaming of becoming professional footballers, and I will never teach such bad behaviour to my players.
“The answer to everything should be on the pitch through playing football, beating the opponents by scoring goals, not cheating. And I don’t want to comment on those things in the press conference because I don’t want to tell you how the treatment was [in Lubumbashi].
“Maybe you will say the coach is looking for excuses, but I can tell you that it’s not the behaviour and the hospitality we were expecting. I thank the mentality of South Africans, the hospitality, and how we welcome people in the stadium, because football should be a show and a party.
“Unfortunately, some clubs don’t understand the power of the image we give to the people, so I don’t want to go too far on that. We have to focus on the next competition with my team.”
RELATED STORY: Arthur Zwane hits out at Sundowns: ‘We’ll do the same to them’