Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has opened up on the decision to substitute Patrick Maswaganyi in the first half against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers advanced to a fourth straight MTN8 final after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns in a penalty shoot-out after rescuing a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Read: Pirates Advance To FOURTH Straight MTN8 Final
The coach made a surprise decision seven minutes before the break by withdrawing Maswanganyi for Bandile Shandu, which allowed Kamogelo Sebelebele to move up to the right-wing postion.
The decision paid off for Ouaddou as Sebelebele went on to bag the all-important equaliser in the second half.
“You know, I have been a player for 17 years in the high-level," Ouaddou told SuperSport after the game.
"this can happen sometimes that we are not in the game. It doesn’t mean that you are a bad player, I believe on him.
"He is a fantastic player; he’s been very important for the club since many years. So, today was maybe not his time so I’m sure he will help us in the future."
The Pirates coach also praised Sebelebele and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine for their displays.
“It’s fantastic, he [Sebelebele] has been doing well. Like, I said he is a professional guy, well-educated, he came in Orlando Pirates to lift his level and to play the high level football and he is showing it. But not only him, I’m happy with all my players especially like I told I have to congratulate Sipho Chaine today," he added.
“He was fantastic, but all of them even the players who were on the bench they were fantastic, the players who were on the stands, I respect them a lot and they gave a lot for the club so we have quite interesting players,” he added.
