Sour grapes? The best team didn’t go through - Orlando Pirates’ Abdeslam Ouaddou
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, gestures during the 2nd leg of the CAF Champions League second-round preliminary qualifier against Saint Eloi Lupopo at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Though it was indeed a spirited display from Orlando Pirates to almost overturn their three-goal deficit in their Caf Champions League tie against Saint Eloi Lupopo, it sounded like Bucs coach Abdeslam Ouaddou found the result difficult to accept.
The Buccaneers come into the match off the back of their crushing 3-0 first-leg qualifying round loss to Saint Eloi Lupopo in the Caf Champions League last week. That defeat broke a string of wins across all competitions for Pirates.
They rallied to level the aggregate scores as they beat their opponents 3-0 in the return fixture at Orlando Stadium in regulation time, which sent the sides to a penalty shootout.
Ultimately their efforts proved in vain as their Congolese opposition won the shootout 5-4 to advance to the next round of the premier African football competition.
Ouaddou Reflects on Heartbreaking Loss and Missed Champions League Opportunity
“It wasn’t enough because we had these penalties at the end, it’s part of the game. I think the guys did the job, it was not easy to come back and to score three goals, we did it. I have nothing to say to the guys, they were brave,” Ouaddou told SABC Sport.
“Fantastic behaviour during the 90 minutes, it’s sad for them, the effort they gave, everybody is sad for them because I think we deserved in terms of football what we showed…the football didn’t win it today.
“The best team didn’t go through this stage, it’s like that and congratulations to the opponents and for us we are going to keep going to work. It’s sad such a club won’t be in the Champions League this season. I think we have so many challenges to defend and we will focus on that.”
The result also would have come as a crushing blow for the capacity crowd which turned out in Soweto, as the tickets sold just over an hour before the afternoon kickoff.