"We need solidarity when things go wrong," says Ouaddou after backing Mbuthuma to bounce back

Mbuthuma fired wide in sudden death at the end of a tense penalty shootout for a 5-4 defeat, but it was the attacker's goals in normal time that had given Pirates chance of redemption in their Second preliminary, second leg qualifier.

Bucs entered Saturday's game at the Orlando Stadium 3-0 down from the first leg held in the Democratic Republic of Congo last week.

Goals from Masindi Nemtajela, Mbuthuma and Oswin Appollis saw Pirates claw themselves back into the tie before their ultimate elimination.

Speaking after the game, Ouaddou explained that without Mbuthuma's contribution they may never have made it to the shooutout.

He said on Times Live: "The first player I saw after the game was him [Mbuthuma].

"I quickly went on the pitch to tell him to chin up and be proud of what he did when he came on because he scored the second goal.

"Maybe without him we could not have gone to penalties. He is still young, there are many other competitions this season and he is going to be important for us.

"What I also liked was the behaviour of his teammates because they went to console him that moment. It is in those moments where you need your teammates, not only when everything is going well.

"We need solidarity when things go wrong and that is what the staff and the players did for him. We will continue to work and life must continue for him."