Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has sent a defiant title message after his side failed to beat Durban City to go above Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership.
But with Sundowns, having finished their campaign with a 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy, Pirates have another chance to overtake the reigning champions in their final game at ORBIT College.
The Buccaneers moved to 66 points after their goalless draw with Durban City, but remained two points behind Sundowns, and only a win in their final match will now secure their first league title in 14 years.
Ouaddou praised the performance of their opponents before confidently stating that he believes his side can get the job done next week.
“I said at the middle of the season that probably the title will be played until the end of the season, the last game,” he stated on SuperSport TV.
“So, let’s go and take it to be champion in the last game, I think it’s possible.
“You see that the spirit, sport spirit is there – Durban came here and played. I like it, it keeps the suspense for the football lovers in South Africa. It’s the magic of the PSL.
“I’m not worried to be honest. I can be disappointed because we didn’t win, and we wanted to offer this victory to our fans. It didn’t happen.
“Let’s go and take it next week.”
Ouaddou also admitted that his side showed some nerves, especially in the second half, but once again shared a defiant message with his team.
“We have the third-youngest team in the PSL. To play this event, they know in 14 years Pirates didn’t win the title, it’s normal that it creates some stress in the head,” he continued.
“You can see in the second half the choice sometimes were not the best.
“I just want to say to my boys, ‘go take this title in the last game, and we will do it’.”