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Ouaddou Praises Pirates’ Character After Hard-Fought MTN8 Victory

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Abdeslam Ouaddou, head coach of Orlando Pirates during the Betway Premiership 2026/27 Launch at The Venue in Houghton on 29 July 2026 ©Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised his side’s character after they secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Durban City in their MTN8 opener.

The Buccaneers advanced to the semi-final of the top-eight competition after their victory over the Durban-based outfit.

Goals from Patrick Maswanganyi and Gamphani Lungu cancelled out Jean Lwamba’s 51st minute equaliser at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Ouaddou says the Buccaneers were made to work for the result after missing several clear chances but he was impressed by his players’ bravery and belief as they pushed the game into extra-time.

“Look, first of all we know that MTN8 cup matches are all the time difficult and I think it’s the magic of this competition, nobody will come here in Orlando Pirates and to give you the game,” Ouaddou told SABC Sport.

“So, of course we started the game like what we want, putting the tempo, having control, I think we could’ve killed the game earlier before, but we missed some important big chances and I had to make some changes at the halftime because Sibisi was injured.

“I think it created some imbalance in that area; we conceded a goal. But what I liked it’s the braveness, character, personality of my team.

“We believed until the end and went until the into extra-time. But I think we could’ve killed the game before because Pirates really dominated that game.”