Orlando Pirates might have lost their MTN8 crown after four successive titles, but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said they could take good lessons from the 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s clash at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“We started the game, I think a little bit shy with our aggression, and we got caught early, on a set piece,” he said of the 11th-minute goal from Teboho Mokoena that put Sundowns into the lead.
“We wanted to dominate early and change the momentum because in the previous games, we conceded first and after we were chasing. But unfortunately, that didn't happen. But more than that, I think the real momentum of the game was the penalty miss.”
Gamphani Lungu had his second-half penalty saved by Ronwen Williams. Had the Zambian winger scored, it would have put the teams level at 1–1 with some 28 minutes left in the game.
“I think if we managed to score that one, the game would have turned out differently. The rest of the game, we were chasing, trying to go forward, to imbalance the opponent. And when you attack, logically, you leave space behind.
"I think, of course, we got some chances to score, but we could have also conceded more goals. But overall, I don't have nothing to criticise the boys. Really, we played a high-level game, both teams with intensity, with some good sequences of high-level football and we have seen two of the best teams in South Africa,” Ouaddou added.
“We are disappointed, of course, not to take this fifth MTN cup, especially for us, for the club, and for our fans. But there was a lot of education in that game for us, because I have quality from players in my side. I'm very happy about the game of (Thalente) Mbatha after he was injured. He came back, so it's somebody that can bring more to our team.
"There were a lot of positives for us. We are going to keep working hard. We still have a lot, a lot of games to come with more cups, the Nedbank Cup, the Carling Knockout, the Champions League. And the most important is to defend our league title.”
“But the boys gave their best. Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns. I think the fans watched a good football match with intensity, of course, with the rivalry as well. And we are going to, for sure, bounce back and be ready for the next challenge,” he said.