Abdeslam Ouaddou hails staff, calls for patience after Pirates’ cup heroics

By Mazola Molefe
24th August 2025

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes that with time, he and his technical team can transform the Soweto giants into an even greater force.

The Moroccan tactician made the comments after Pirates edged Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties in the second leg of their MTN8 semifinal, booking their place in yet another final.

Ouaddou’s emotional embrace of his backroom staff at full-time sparked questions, and he explained it was a show of gratitude and trust. He credited the group – which he inherited upon his arrival – for their commitment and professionalism.

"I'm doing the job with passion, I love the players, I love my staff, I came alone here. I could have come with six people because I have a team in Europe but like I told you, I believe in African competency,” Ouaddou said.

“The grass is not more green elsewhere, if you profile people in your country, in South Africa, there is competency, I don't need to bring people here. It's why I kissed them, I kissed them because this victory is not only the players, it's not my victory, it's the victory of the staff, it's the victory of the club, it's the victory of the management.

“The problem is I've been fighting since I was a teenager for that, the problem in the mind of people, when you have black skin, straightaway we don't give time to people.

“I just asked, give me time, I know my competency, I'm African, I'm proud, that's why I kissed my brothers because they did a good job. So, if I have time maybe I can help the club, if I don't have time, I will be sacked and it's football, it's life but I love my job."

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The result at Lucas Moripe Stadium comes amid heavy scrutiny from Pirates fans after a sluggish start — pressure Ouaddou says he embraces.

"To criticize people, we are doing a public job, you know you have been in the job for many, many years, I've been in the job for more than 30 years. Like I said when you go to the cinema and you don't like the movie or you go to the theatre and you don't like what they are suggesting and what you have seen, you paid the ticket, you can criticise,” the coach added.

“So when my fans are not happy because it's a big club because we are not winning, I understand them, what can I do? The only thing is to work, to be silent, to give everything and to be passionate."