Orlando Pirates Coach Ouaddou Pushes Attackers in Win

Orlando Pirates Clinch CAF Champions League Group Stage Berth With 4-0 Win Over African Stars

The Soweto giants entered the second leg holding a narrow 1-0 advantage from the away fixture in Botswana, but broke open the tie through midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi in the 18th minute and a late first-half strike from Evidence Makgopa.

Ouaddou Pushes Attackers to Secure 4-0 Win

Despite possessing a comfortable cushion after halftime, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou kept his side pressing forward. Ouaddou explained that he actively pushed his attackers to find a fifth and sixth goal rather than sitting on their lead. Substitute Mpho Padime netted with his first touch seconds into the second half, while Makgopa completed his brace in the 77th minute to seal the 4-0 scoreline on the night. SuperSport noted that the result marked Pirates’ biggest-ever win over African Stars and extended their unbeaten run against the Namibian side to four matches. Evidence Makgopa registered his first goal of the campaign in the 45th minute, just before halftime, as the Pirates maintained control of the match and doubled their lead. Center-back Tapelo Xoki explained that the team learned valuable lessons from previous struggles and remains entirely concentrated on achieving success in this crucial fixture. For us, we put all our energy and focus on tomorrow’s game, Xoki said. Of course, the goals, even at 4-0, I was pushing the guys to score the fifth one, the sixth one. My proudness is we scored four goals, and we didn’t concede. So, the guys, when they score four goals, they can enjoy. You see, I didn’t say nothing. Popo [Mpho Padime] can make, can climb on the ball. [Simphiwe] Masilela can make showboating, you see, I don’t have any problem. But you need to score four goals, the Bucs mentor explained.

Padime Scores First Goal as Pirates Advance

FARPost ZA highlighted several key developments from the fixture, noting that Mokobodi continued his fine form, while teenager Mpho Padime scored his first goal for Pirates in the Champions League after gaining promotion from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side ahead of the 2026/27 season. The victory also successfully corrected last season’s early exit in the second preliminary round against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo, leaving the Buccaneers standing as South Africa’s sole representative in the prestigious continental competition. The victory underlined Pirates’ growing strength on home soil in Africa.

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