Abdeslam Ouaddou credits tactical shift after Orlando Pirates grind down Chippa United

The Moroccan tactician did not shy away from admitting that Pirates were pushed to their limits in the first half by a disciplined Chippa outfit that arrived determined to frustrate.

Ouaddou revealed that the match was not unfolding as expected in the early stages, with Chippa’s compact structure denying Pirates their usual fluency in attack. The Buccaneers enjoyed possession but struggled to penetrate, and the coach knew a shift in approach was required.

“Chippa were very well organised tactically, and they put us in trouble in the first half,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV after the match.

“We couldn’t find the spaces we wanted, so at halftime we had to make some tactical changes to improve our second half.”

The adjustments injected renewed sharpness into Pirates’ play. Their rotations became quicker, their transitions cleaner, and their final-third pressure more sustained. Evidence Makgopa finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute with a close-range finish after persistent attacking waves. Oswin Appollis then added the insurance goal in the 94th minute, sealing a result that looked far from guaranteed earlier in the contest.

For Ouaddou, the victory was not just about goals — it was about growth. He praised his players for remaining composed against a side fighting desperately for points at the bottom of the table.

“Playing against a team in that position is never easy, but the players stayed focused for the full 90 minutes,” he said.

“We didn’t concede, and that’s very important for me. The team came back with strength.”

The performance underlined Pirates’ increasing tactical maturity as they continue their push in the race for the Betway Premiership title.