Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says some of his players had “stress in the head” as the Buccaneers let slip the chance to seal the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title with a match to spare on Saturday afternoon.
The Soweto giants were frustrated to a 0-0 draw by a resilient Durban City FC at Orlando Amstel Stadium. It was a result which delayed them from being crowned PSL champions, as they also risked the grim possibility of a sensational final-day collapse.
Victory would have seen the Buccaneers dislodge Mamelodi Sundowns from the top of the table. They would have jumped to the summit on goal difference, with both sides tied on 68 points. An anticipated momentous afternoon in Soweto was not to be as Pirates remain second on the table with two points fewer than Masandawana.
They now have to wait for next Saturday’s clash with Orbit College FC at Mbombela Stadium. It is a game after which they will learn their fate on what promises to be a thrilling finish to the title race. It could turn out to be a dramatic day if relegation-threatened Orbit mount some fierce resistance similar to Durban City’s showing.
A point will not be enough for Pirates who need maximum points to take the lead and end Sundowns’ eight-year league supremacy. It has been 14 years since The Ghost were last crowned PSL champions.
PIRATES’ PLAN AGAINST DURBAN CITY DISCUSSED
Against Durban City, Ouaddou feels they were not at their best in the first half, and an improved showing after the breather could not inspire them to three points.
“We had exactly the game we expected and knew that Durban City would come with some ideas. Of course, they still have a target to finish in the top eight,” said Ouaddou. “We prepared well for the game, but I think in the first half we played a bit far from my expectations in terms of intensity and rhythm. The plan was that in the first 15 or 20 minutes, we would apply high pressure, suffocate the team, and score early.
“But that couldn’t happen because we started so slowly, and perhaps there was a lack of aggressiveness in the first half. We did, however, manage to create several chances in the opening period. But I think in the second half, especially in the last 30 or 40 minutes, we saw the face that we usually see of Orlando Pirates—a lot of intensity to go forward and hurt the opponent.”
OUADDOU MAKES ADMISSION ABOUT PIRATES’ DECISIONS
Ouaddou went on to add that his troops could not wrap up the league crown on Saturday due to mental pressure.
“We have a very young team, I think the third youngest team in the PSL. To play these events, they know that it is 14 years since Pirates won the title,” the former Morocco defender stated. “So, it’s normal that it creates some stress in the head. That’s why you could see that in the second half, the decisions were not the best.
“But I think we saw a good Pirates in the second half with the intensity that we were waiting for, the technical quality. Unfortunately, we were not efficient.”
OUADDOU DEFIANT AS PIRATES THROW PSL TITLE RACE INTO FINAL DAY SUSPENSE
The Buccaneers coach is refusing to sound alarm over the possibility that the Betway Premiership title could slip away from their reach after the Buccaneers dragged the race to the final day of the season.
“I just want to say to my players, ‘go and take this title in the last game’, and we will do it. I don’t have much else to say to my boys, they gave their best. We could have converted some opportunities in both the first and second half, but today the ball just didn’t want to go into the net. It’s football, and we keep the suspense until the end.
“I said it at the beginning and in the middle of the season that the title would probably be played for until the final day. Let’s go and take it to become champions on the last day; I think it’s possible.
“You can see that the sporting spirit is there. Durban City came here, and they played. I like it because it keeps the suspense alive for the football lovers in South Africa. I’m not worried, to be honest. I can be disappointed because we didn’t win—we wanted to dedicate a victory to our fans, but it didn’t happen. Let’s go and take it next weekend.”
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