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Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou insists that winning the MTN8 has not magically converted his critics into supporters, but believes the triumph shows his methods need time to bear fruit.
The Buccaneers claimed the trophy for a record fourth consecutive season after overpowering Stellenbosch FC 3-0 in extra time at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Ouaddou’s tactical changes proved decisive, with winger Tshepang Moremi netting twice and striker Tshegofatso Mabasa adding to the score sheet.
The coach stressed that these same ideas were in place earlier in the season, even when detractors were calling for his dismissal.
"It worked, and it doesn't mean that I'm a better coach than two games ago. I don't see myself as better than Steve Barker, we had a big, big game, big respect for the coach, he's a very good coach and a very interesting team of Stellenbosch,” Ouaddou said.
“It's a club that is very stable, very intentional for a long time and we're happy to win the trophy."
Pressed to elaborate, Ouaddou explained that even during his playing days in Europe, he often had to work twice as hard to prove himself as an African footballer.
"I don't know if I have to go deep in that subject because we can have many interpretations and I don't want that. I'm peaceful, I love people, I love life, I love the work but this victory, I'm happy for my players, I'm happy for my club, for the management, my chairmans and I'm happy for the players,” the coach added.
“But it doesn't give me more credit, everyday we have to improve, we have to win games, it's like we have to show every time our competitors. It's what I have been doing ever since I was in an academy when I was 15 years old .
“If you deserve to play in Europe, you need to be three times better than a European player. So, for me, it's like that, I've been fighting since I was 15 years old about this and now as a coach, I still have to work hard, very hard, every morning, every day, just to show to the people that I'm able to coach such a big club in Africa."
