Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi has defended head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou following his stern post-match critique, insisting the mentor’s demanding standards were misinterpreted by the public.
In what appeared to be a show of frustration following Pirates’ 3-0 win over Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Cup on Tuesday, Ouaddou demanded that his players do better.
During his post-match media briefing, the Moroccan tactician warned his side to be more ruthless in taking scoring opportunities.
“I cannot be satisfied to go home with three goals while we had 24 chances. What are we doing in the box? Are we here to joke? No, we are here to score goals,” Ouaddou said. “We are here to show everybody that Pirates is the best team, and we are here to impress people and to send a big message. We are here for that, but you cannot come here and chill and kick outside and be selfish.”
ORLANDO PIRATES CAPTAIN DEFENDS ABDESLAM OUADDOU COMMENTS
However, speaking ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated Soweto Derby against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium, Sibisi insists the squad took Ouaddou’s stern reaction in a positive light.
“Look, I think the coach has been misinterpreted, if I can say, you know, because he demands excellence; good is not enough,” Sibisi told journalists in Randburg on Thursday.
“For a club like Pirates, excellence always has to prevail, you know, and I think for the boys, they’re taking it in a positive manner. You know, there’s no one sulking about it. We know we should have scored more goals. That we know ourselves, you know.
“I think it speaks to the character of the coach to say we shouldn’t be satisfied as a club, you know. Why be satisfied to score three when you can score eight? You know, that should be the mentality. And I think the boys are taking it in a positive manner.”
NKOSINATHI SIBISI SAYS PLAYERS UNDERSTAND HEAD COACH’S MANDATE
The Bafana Bafana defender admitted that while execution comes first, there must also be a balance between securing results and flair.
“Yeah, look, I think we have a young squad, you know, we have a young squad. So, sometimes they want to express themselves, you know. They can’t express themselves when the game is 0-0, or 1-1, you know, 2-0. So, the coach tries to emphasise: ‘Score a lot of goals,’ you know, ‘and then you can express yourself as best as possible,’ because people want to see a show, you know.
“So, yeah, I think we try to find a balance: we have to deliver, the coach wants us to deliver, score your goals, and then you can enjoy after.”
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