Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed his dissatisfaction with his team's performance despite securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 on Tuesday evening.

The Buccaneers secured their place in the quarter-finals with a comfortable scoreline, but Ouaddou was not entirely impressed with how his players controlled the match. The coach admitted that his team did not perform at the level he expected, suggesting that the result alone was not enough to satisfy him.

Speaking after the match, Ouaddou made his feelings clear, saying he was unhappy with the way Orlando Pirates approached the encounter.

"I was not happy about how we played, we didn’t have the control," the Pirates coach said.

His comments suggest that, despite the three-goal victory, there were aspects of the team's performance that required improvement. For a coach focused on maintaining high standards, controlling possession, dictating the tempo and managing different phases of a match are important elements that go beyond simply securing a win.

Orlando Pirates entered the knockout encounter with the objective of progressing to the next round, and the 3-0 result ultimately achieved that goal. However, Ouaddou's reaction indicates that he expects more from his players, particularly when it comes to controlling matches against opposition teams.

The victory was still an important result for the Soweto giants as they continued their pursuit of silverware in the Carling Knockout competition. Cup football often leaves little room for mistakes, and advancing to the quarter-finals gives Pirates another opportunity to compete for a major domestic trophy.

Nevertheless, Ouaddou's remarks highlight the difference between winning a match and delivering the kind of performance a coach wants to see from his team. A dominant scoreline does not always mean that every aspect of the game has been executed according to plan.

For Pirates supporters, the three goals and progression to the quarter-finals will be encouraging. However, the coach's assessment makes it clear that the team's performance remains an area of focus as the campaign continues.

Ouaddou will now want his players to build on the positive result while addressing the shortcomings he identified during the encounter. Maintaining consistency, improving control and showing greater authority on the pitch could prove important as Orlando Pirates face tougher challenges in the later stages of the competition.

Despite his dissatisfaction, the 3-0 victory means the Buccaneers have successfully navigated the Round of 16 and remain in contention for the Carling Knockout title.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2115173234450514239