Why Orlando Pirates Are Flying: Coach Reveals Key Ingredients
Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Orlando Pirates’ impressive season is rooted less in tactics and more in the culture they’ve built behind the scenes. The Moroccan coach says trust, unity and clarity have transformed the Buccaneers into a consistent force, as they sit second on the Betway Premiership table with two matches in hand on leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
With the MTN8 already secured and a Carling Knockout Cup final looming, Ouaddou credits the squad’s buy-in: “The players understand the project. When there’s trust between the group and the staff, everything else—tactics, structure, discipline—follows,” he said. “We want to score goals, we want to defend properly, and you can see the consistency.”
While the team thrives, right-back Bandile Shandu has endured a frustrating campaign, making only four appearances. Lebitso’s form and Van Rooyen’s return have pushed him down the ladder, with Ouaddou even converting Sebelele into the position when needed. Still, Shandu has embraced a team-first mentality: “Personally, the team comes first. We are winning and that matters more,” he said.
Assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has also highlighted Oudaddou’s human qualities, praising him for respecting and working with the staff already at the club. “He’s a great human being who understands Africa and values people. He only ‘kisses’ those close to him—he means the work we do together comes from trust,” Ncikazi joked.
Ouaddou’s appointment was questioned initially, especially after early league setbacks. But he has steadied the team, lifted silverware and maintained a strong title challenge, falling short only in the CAF Champions League after a dramatic exit to St Eloi Lupopo.
With Sundowns and Chiefs still involved in continental competitions, Pirates have a clearer domestic run-in. Their depth, momentum and reduced fixture load give them a genuine chance to end a decade-long wait for the league title.
The Buccaneers return to action against bottom-placed Chippa United on 25 November at Orlando Stadium.
Orlando Pirates are doing a really impressive work this season, the group of players squad we’ve got to the team is excellent, it shows that we have a quality and lot of depth to the team. I have no doubt that this season we will take everything, especially the league it’s going to be a special and proud moment grab that silverware. Why I’m saying this is that, because we’re out of continental competition we’ve got a lot of time to prepare for everything here at home we don’t have to travel up and down the continent, so with this quality and squad depth i have no doubt we’ll take everything this season as long as the coach and the technical team can do their work very careful, especially when giving individual different players a chance