Sekhukhune’s Zothwane Admits What Everyone Is Thinking About Pirates
Orlando Pirates have played 19 games across all competitions this season and lost just one, with a single draw. Even their opponents are running out of ways to describe them.
Sekhukhune United coach Papi Zothwane watched it first-hand last weekend, when the Buccaneers beat his side 1-0 to book a place in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final. Afterwards, he gave his honest opinion.
“My opinion? Pirates have many quality players. As a coach, you always know you will find it difficult to challenge them pound for pound, you always have to play them, knowing their strengths, because offensively they are a threat,” he said.
Zothwane said his approach had to be careful.
“You can’t be naive and play Pirates with high press, leaving space behind. You always have to be cautious, but again I say, it goes to the players, when they are playing Pirates, do they respect the players more than themselves.”
The numbers back him up. Abdeslam Ouaddou’s reign began with back-to-back defeats to Sekhukhune and Marumo Gallants. Since then, it has been close to perfection. The next 37 matches brought 29 wins, seven draws and one defeat, plus the club’s first league title since 2012, with 78 goals scored and just 11 conceded.
Overall, Ouaddou has overseen 63 games, winning 48, drawing nine and losing six. He has already won the league, the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout Cup.
Zothwane did not want to sound beaten, though.
“If you are playing Pirates, you have to think about your team, your plans, what you want to do. You can’t be preaching about the threat always and not thinking about what we can do, our talent, execute the defined roles you must play.
“Maybe it’s overthinking and anxiety for players sometimes,” he admitted. “But it depends on the game and the plans for us as coaches and the players.
“But they are a quality team and personally, I feel we have players that can go pound for pound with Pirates, compete and win matches. It’s just unfortunate, when we come here, it’s always difficult to win.”
