Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was delighted with a three-point haul against Durban City on Saturday that catapulted his side to the top of the Betway Premiership but warns they must stay humble with a long way to go in the league campaign.
The 2-0 win at the Moses Mabhida Stadium sees Pirates three points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns after 12 matches each.
“We came here with a clear intention to get some points, at least a win. It's what we did,” Ouaddou said after the victory.
“But it was so difficult. We had a very difficult first half, very difficult because we faced a strong side with very high pressing.
“We didn't manage in the first half to escape from that high pressing. And we have seen that it's a strong side, strong team. We have seen the touch of their coach (Gavin Hunt) as well, a very experienced coach, one of the best in this PSL.
“And we knew that it would be difficult. For me, we should forget about the first half but I congratulate the boys for the second half. At half time, we tried to make some tactical adjustments and (after that) we have seen the real Orlando Pirates in the second half,” added the Pirates coach.
“And my satisfaction is that, again, we didn't concede any goals. That’s very important for me. And we scored two goals which brings us to the top of the log.
“But it’s a long way to go. We are happy, of course, because it's our target. But we still have five months, and we have to stay humble, to keep working.”
ATTITUDE AND STRUCTURE
Pirates have only conceded five league goals this season, which Ouaddou said was a source of satisfaction.
“Set pieces was a big concern for us, and we did a lot of improvement. Thanks to the players, thanks to their attitude and the concentration that we have in the structure.
“We made a lot of improvement, a lot of concentration, and not only in our team, but I have to say that in many teams in the world, the most important thing in the set pieces, I always said, is attitude and the structure.
“Set pieces are three seconds of focus. And if you lose that focus, if you lose your opponent, if you don't see your opponent and the ball, the way that you manage your steps, the way that you manage your body, the way that you are protecting your goal, all these small details, we have improved them, and it's a good thing for us,” he added.