Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is not succumbing to counting their losses following Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in a Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium.
Brayan Leon’s brace ensured maximum points for the Brazilians, although the Buccaneers attempted a comeback through Patrick Maswanganyi, whose goal could not inspire at least a successful push for a draw. Crucial for second-placed Sundowns was cutting the gap in this heated title race between them and log leaders Pirates from six to three points.
But the Tshwane giants could level matters should they take advantage of a game they have in hand. Miguel Cardoso’s men have been relentless in their last two games, starting with a 2-0 CAF Champions League win over MC Alger, which fired them into the quarter-finals of the continental competition.
Leon struck a brace in that match and was back with another double against Pirates. The Colombian showed some big-match temperament, rising on occasions when Madsandawana needed a big fight.
It is the kind of form that could have Pirates and other title contenders like Kaizer Chiefs and Sekhukhune United worried. But Ouaddou appears not to panic after the danger Sundowns have posed to their PSL title aspirations.
OUADDOU’S BELIEF INTACT AHEAD OF CRUCIAL PSL FIXTURES AND SUNDOWNS’ STERN CHALLENGE
“I think we had two halves. One where we wanted to be compact and to play on the transition and I think it worked,” said Ouaddou on SuperSport TV.
“It worked because we recovered lots of balls and we created some effective chances. Unfortunately, we weren’t efficient in the first half.
“It’s very hard to come into half-time with 2-0, but I think the boys did well in the second half. We managed to score early. We pushed, but we didn’t manage to score the second goal.
“I can say that Mamelodi Sundowns had the first half and Pirates had the second half, but without scoring the second goal, so we are a bit disappointed.
“We still have games, nothing is lost, but we have to play till the end.”
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