By KOPANO MONAHENG
THE three games that were planned and executed to perfection by the defending MTN8 champions.
It was a beautiful sunny Saturday at the Orlando Amstel Arena yesterday when Orlando Pirates wrote another chapter in the history of South African football by defeating Sekhukhune United in three matches in just eight days. It was simply amazing to watch a hat-trick of games that went well for Orlando Pirates, with scorelines of 1, 2 and 3 — scoring one goal in the first match, two in the second, and concluding with three goals in the third game.
There was also a hat-trick of clean sheets for their important goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine, and everything was just marvellous.
Yanela Mbuthuma was also instrumental, providing two assists as Pirates scored successive goals just a minute apart, with Thapelo Mokobodi, and Ghampani Lungu getting on the scoresheet. Kamogelo Sebelebele scored the third goal for the home side and with a total of six goals without a reply from Babina Noko.
Pirates was clinical, and coach Abdeslam Ouaddou could not hide his excitement.
The Moroccan coach, who wants nothing but plenty of goals from his players, was delighted with what he saw from his charges. Ouaddou said:
“When we are playing for Pirates, the target is to play in the final and to win the final. So I want to give credit to the boys today. They really made me happy.
“Again, a clean sheet, good organisation and good discipline.”
He added:
“Now what I want to tell them when we go to the final is: you must win it.”
The control seemed to slip away from Pirates at times in the second half, but Ouaddou admitted that football is about reading the game and reacting to different moments.
“Yes, it depends on the reading of the game. There are some moments — I agree with you — where we lost control for 10 minutes. But when you look at the performance of the boys, they were critical.
“I think it’s one of the best games since the beginning of the season. Not perfect, but still something to improve.
“But at least we have to give them credit. It was also an opportunity to give some younger players a chance, and they did well.”
Ouaddou was particularly pleased with Mbuthuma, who received strong support from the Pirates faithful.
“This boy, we trust him. In football, sometimes you are in a difficult period. Like I said, we have to give him confidence and trust him.
“The performance will come, and today he had a great game. We have to continue to help him and show that he is part of the future of Pirates. We cannot kill a boy like that.
“And you heard it from the fans — they really got behind him today.”
The Pirates coach believes the support from the supporters can give players the confidence and energy they need to perform.
“It’s not a secret. When you feel that you are being pushed by your own fans, they give you energy and they give you power.
“Sometimes you have to be patient with our players. When they feel this love, when they feel this support, you see what they can give you.
“So, yeah, I think it can really be a lesson. If we can have the support from our fans throughout the year, I hope it will bring something out of him.”
Ouaddou also admitted that, while he is a coach who demands efficiency and goals, he wants his players to enjoy their football.
“Look, I will be honest with you. I am somebody who wants efficiency. I want goals.
“But at the same time, like I said to the boys, when they come onto the pitch, I tell them: ‘My boy, enjoy your football.’
“Sometimes you need to give these boys the freedom to express themselves.
“Even I will be honest with you — climbing on the ball and stuff like that, I don’t like. But when we have three goals, four goals, I have to integrate myself!”
Images: Orlando Pirates
