Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed why Ghampani Lungu was picked to take the penalty which he later missed in the 60th minute of the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ouaddou stated that the player was one of the team’s designated penalty takers and was first in the order after Appollis. The coach also defended the choice despite the situation that it placed his player in.
“He’s one of the designated takers. Of the players he was first in the takers. After we have Appollis. It’s moments like that, it’s football,” Ouaddou remarked.
He further extended his congratulations Sundowns for their victory and expressed his disappointment at his own side’s failure to complete the task, however he used the event as motivation to push on in future matches.
Ouaddou Stands by the Penalty-Taking Decision
A missed spot-kick can often be the most deflating moment in a match, and the fact that it came in a final added to the disappointment felt by Orlando Pirates fans.
It is understandable to question the choice of player to take the kick, however Ouaddou has made it clear that it was not made on the spur of the moment.
Lungu was one of the designated penalty takers, which means that he would have been the first to step up should the match have come to a penalty shootout.
In revealing this information, the coach made his choice clear to justify the disappointment felt by both himself and his fans.
A missed penalty kick will not always be down to the player taking it – even the most assured finishers in the game will score only in the most ideal conditions.
Pirates Left Disappointed After the Final
A final appearance is always a disappointment if the team fails to lift the trophy, so it is no surprise that Ouaddou felt the need to comment on this particular defeat.
The coach did not attempt to hide his disappointment, but he was careful to keep his remarks reasonably measured.
He paid tribute to Sundowns and advised his own side to maintain their efforts.
His thoughts make clear the nature of cup football and the fact that one moment can dictate the entirety of a match, but there is nothing to be done but move forward and prepare for the next fixture.
For Orlando Pirates, this means turning their attentions to the matches ahead of them and attempting to complete the double by winning both the MTN8 and the league title.
What the Explanation Means for Ghampani Lungu
Lungu will certainly feel the disappointment keenly, and his performance in the match is likely to come under increased scrutiny from fans.
However, Ouaddou’s comments have at least served to confirm that his player was merely following orders.
A penalty kick is often the most high-pressure situation in a match, and therefore an easy way to single out a player for criticism.
The entire match, as well as the entire season, is the combined effort of a number of individuals.
Lungu’s failure in the moment will become a talking point, but the forward must not allow it to overshadow his efforts in the match and his performances in other games.
Above all, consistency, assurance and resolve are essential traits for any player in a high-profile position.
Ouaddou Calls for Pirates to Move Forward
Ouaddou made it clear that he expected his team to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and move on to their next match.
His remarks to Sundowns showed that he was willing to acknowledge the efforts of his opponents regardless of his own side’s failure.
They also revealed his disappointment at the outcome of the match, as well as his desire for future success.
The question of Lungu’s choice to take the penalty kick will linger over the final, but the coach has already explained his decision.
Lungu was first in the order after Appollis, and it seems unlikely that this could have changed regardless of his emotions at the moment.
The defeat will live with the team as a bitter memory, but for now the players must turn their attentions to the matches ahead of them in the MTN8 and the league.
Editorial note: This article is based on the coach’s supplied post-match comments. The quoted remarks have been retained in substance, and no additional claims about the penalty or the match have been introduced.
