Abdeslam Ouaddou seeks appeals for time to prove himself after MTN8 semi-final victory over Mamelodi Sudowns

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou cut an emotional figure after guiding his side to the MTN8 final, following backlash over a rough start at the club.

Pirates beat rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 on penalties in the MTN8 semi-final second leg in Pretoria on Saturday, after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate.

The tie went into the second leg locked at 1-1, and the two teams cancelled each other out in another 1-1 draw in regulation time in Pretoria.

Sundowns took the lead through Iqraam Rayners before Kamogelo Sebelebele equalised for Pirates in regulation time. Sebelebele also walked away with the Player of the Match award.

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine proved his prowess during the penalty shootout, saving the first two kicks before Tshegofatso Mabasa scored the decisive penalty.

The win eased the pressure on Ouaddou, who came into the game on the back of a mixed start to the season after losing his first two league matches.

The Moroccan showed affection for his technical team after the final whistle, embracing and kissing them in delight.

Ouaddou believes he will silence his critics once he is given more time at the helm, especially with the support of his backroom staff.

“I just ask, ‘give me time'," Ouaddou humbly requested. "I know my competences. I am African and proud. I love my brothers, and that’s why I kiss them. They did a good job.

“If I have time, maybe I will help the club. But if I don’t, I will be sacked and move on. It’s football. But I love my job!”

Ouaddou reiterated that he is a strong believer in the capabilities of African and black coaches, which is why he was more than happy to work with the staff he found at the club.

“I am doing the job with passion. I love my players and my staff,” Ouaddou said. “I came here alone, but I could have brought six people because I have a team in Europe.

“But like I said, I believe in African competencies. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

“So in South Africa, there is talent, and that’s why I kiss them. This victory is not only mine or the players’, but also for the staff, management, and everyone.

“I have been fighting since I was a teenager. The problem is that dark-skinned people are not always given chances and time to prove themselves.”

While Ouaddou might be asking for more time to prove himself, he understands the fans’ frustrations when results are not going the team’s way.

“When you get criticism, it’s because you are doing a public job,” he said. “I have been in the job for many years — for more than 30 years, actually.

“Like I usually say, when you go to the cinema, having paid for a ticket, and you don’t like what you see, then you have a right to criticise.

“When the fans of a big club are not happy because we are not winning, we have to understand them. So, what can I do? I need to be silent and work hard.”

Ouaddou has already shown glimpses of his tactical ability in both matches against Sundowns, bringing on impactful players and changing formations.

However, he does not think he has mastered the art of turning games around when trailing.

“We have to be very humble in this job. Some people think I am a genius because of a few changes, but I don’t see it that way,” Ouaddou explained.

“Today, the changes worked. Sometimes they won’t. People will say, ‘hey, he’s a bad coach'. So today, I don’t think I am better than before.”