Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised his squad’s resilience after an intriguing 1-1 draw in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals against Mamelodi Sundowns. The Black-and-Whites needed to bounce back after two straight losses in the league, and Ouaddou maintained this was the best performance the Pirates have put up yet, showing plenty of character, especially when adversity was knocking.
A Quick Equalizer Breeds Revival
Until Kamogelo Sebelebele scored a dramatic late goal at a packed Orlando Stadium, the Pirates were on a downhill slope. The goal made it a deserved point from a fiery yet testy battle. With momentum shifting slightly, Pirates will surely aim to capitalize on this from the second leg.
“We Will Get There Soon,” Ouaddou Calls for Patience
Ouaddou appealed to the growing frustration among the supporters, asking them to be patient. “At this very moment, our players are delivering with quality; the results just don’t reflect it yet… in time, results will come,” his message was clear: trust the process and support the team.
Explanation of Positives Lead Finally to Inspiration
The very pressures served as a reminder from Ouaddou about the promise emanating from this encounter. The two teams played with intensity and quality, while Pirates were fighting, and the spirit was reverberating with the fans. “That’s the kind of game our supporters want from us.”
What It All Means for the Second Leg
With the return leg still very open, it will be a hot one to go down in history. Giving this draw the benefit of the doubt, Pirates proved that when they apply tempo, they deliver results.
Ouaddou’s words post-match blend a dose of realism with optimism: So far, results have not met performance, but the tide is starting to turn-that with steady improvement, momentum is building that could make all the difference hereafter.
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