Abdeslam Ouaddou not satisfied despite Carling Cup progression

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has demanded more efficiency in the final third after their 3-0 win over Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 on Tuesday night.

The defending champions now await their fate in the League Cup quarter-final, thanks to a brace from Tshepang Moremi and a strike from in-form midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi at the Amstel Arena.

Notably, the last eight draw will be conducted on Wednesday after the final fixture of the first round between Durban City and Stellenbosch FC at Chatsworth Stadium.

While Pirates eased past Milford, Ouaddou is not entirely happy with the display from his charges, bemoaning the lack of clinical edge in the box, having created a plethora of chances but only converted a few.

“I think it's a game that could have finished with eight goals. Yes, I'm happy for the qualification but about the contents, about the retention, I think for a big club like Pirates we should do better,” said the Pirates boss.

"For a big club that's looking to win the Champions League, for a club that's looking to win the Betway Premiership, for a club that's looking to win the Nedbank Cup, for a club that's looking to win the Carling Cup - it's not enough.

"We were beaten in the duels with 53% for them and for us 47%. We had 24 chances with the amount of three goals, can I be satisfied? No. So, I think we have to wake up and to know that we are playing for a big club.

The Bucs mentor sent a strong message to the fringe players, urging them to make the most of the rare opportunities to play, with competition for places rife at Pirates.

“We are playing for a big institution, we are not here to nurse people. We are very ambitious, Pirates is a giant in Africa, and I think we have to propose something else if we are ambitious,” Ouaddou added.

"But if we want to stay small we can continue like that. So, well done for the qualification but I cannot go home now and sleep happily. I have a lot of work, I have to watch the game to analyse what we can do better.

"And the message for the players who don't play too much is that when I give a chance they have to take it because sometimes the train stops once at the station, it doesn't stop twice.

Pirates will now shift their focus to the highly-anticipated Soweto derby against fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a Betway Premiership encounter at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 31 October.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.