Watch VideoAbdeslam Ouaddou urges consistent ‘marathon’ effort from Orlando Pirates

Evidence Makgopa and Relebohile Mofokeng have been reliable for Orlando Pirates but to win the league race against Mamelodi Sundowns, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has advised them to be condistent. Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou knows the Betway Premiership title race is a 10-month and 30-game marathon, which is why he’s urged his troops to constantly preserve the principles that will make them victorious in the end. Ouaddou has steered Pirates to the top of the log in the title race so far.

They are neck and neck withsecond-placed Mamelodi Sundowns on 44 points, leading on a superior goal difference. Granted, they’ve shown a dominant approach this season, getting crucial points home and away, including in the 2-1 win over Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night, but they’ve beenlacking consistency, especially up front. The Sea Robbers were the better team against City, but they struggled to convert their dominance into goals, resulting in a nervy finish after Bonginkosi Dlamini cancelled out Relebohile Mofokeng’s lead in the 86th minute.

Patrick Maswangayi was then needed to save Pirates from dropping points in stoppage time. While pleased with the ultimate result under muddy pitch conditions due to rain in Polokwane, Ouaddou urged his team to be at their best with every passing game. He was almost asking for the same clinical urgency they showed in the 3-0 win over arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby last Saturday.

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“The PSL is a stronger league. It’s very tight this season – it’s a marathon race. In a marathon, you don’t have to calm down in terms of rhythm and winning,” Ouaddou said.

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