Stellies win leads coach to quit in post-match press conference
AS Vita Club head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou resigned with immediate effect after his side suffered a 2-0 loss in the first leg of their Caf Confederation Cup second preliminary round match against Stellies.
Stellenbosch took control early on, with Devin Titus forcing a brilliant stop from Soufiane Ouedraogo in the fourth minute.
Stellies win and opponent’s coach quits
And the home team would grab an early lead, with Thabo Moloisane rising highest at a corner in the seventh minute and heading in to make it 1-0.
Five minutes later, Bradley Mojela sprinted down the right before sending a superb shot past Ouedraogo to make it 2-0.
That start left AS Vita chasing the game and Stellies controlled proceedings despite not adding to their lead.
Vita landed in South Africa in the early hours of Friday, just a few hours before their match versus Stellies the same day.
According to reports, the DRC team was anticipated to touch down earlier, however there were complications with players’ visas and passports, resulting in their late arrival.
A horror show
Following the game, the Vita coach informed the media that he will be stepping down with immediate effect, and the former Moroccan international wished the DRC giants the best of luck in the second leg against Stellenbosch next week.
He would give credit to Stellies but bemoaned his side’s poor preparation.
“I think we only started the game in the second half because in the first half we were still in the plane,” said Ouaddou, who also clashed with fans at DHL Stadium who threw water bottles at him at half-time.
“In football, when you are not organised, when the things are not done well, when the things are not clarified, you have to build the performance.
“I think my players were still in the plane because we arrived at 4 o’clock in the morning. I don’t know if you can imagine, 24 hours before the game, problems of visa, problems of authorisation.
“So I think I have to congratulate them, to be honest, I think they had a very good second half. I think if we came a little bit before like I had planned on Monday, maybe then it would be another result.
“Now, there is a second match at home, nothing is lost and we have to keep our chin up and believe, and a lot of teams have done it and we can do it. We have to congratulate the other side, and the coach, they work well, good philosophy and I’m not surprised what they are doing – when you have a vision of football, when you have a vision of a club you can see what you can see.
“So I have to congratulate them.
“Next week, I think they will have a very tough game but without me because it was my last game here. As a professional coach I cannot continue in these conditions to come before the game, not 24 hours before, 14 hours before!
“With maybe 4 or 5 players missed in that team because of passport, it’s a very difficult job for me. So it was my last game, I wish the best for my team next week because I think they can achieve it.”
The coach indicated that he would not be headed back to the URC but would instead go directly to France.
Can Stellies win continental glory?
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