Ex-Orlando Pirates star Mark Mayambela tears into Abdeslam Ouaddou's men after losing start to 2025/26 PSL season - 'Feels like players are doing stuff for TikTok'

Orlando Pirates were edged 1-0 by Sekhukhune United in their Premier Soccer League season opener last Saturday.

It was a difficult evening for the Buccaneers at Orlando Stadium as coach Abdeslam Ouaddou tasted defeat for the first time in his second competitive match in charge of the Soweto giants.

Former Pirates dribbling wizard Mark Mayambela has questioned the commitment of Ouaddou's men.

“Trying is not good enough, to be honest," Mayambela said on SoccerBeat.

"Trying is not going to close the gap between the club and the leaders of the league or the team [Mamelodi Sundowns] that has won the league eight times in a row.

“You know, we need a little bit of personality and professionalism because there are moments in the game when you watch and feel like players are doing stuff for TikTok or social media, hoping that people will upload them and so on. For me, it was not good enough.”

Pirates' losing start to the PSL campaign might have left some fans questioning if Oaddou is the right man to trust with their dreams and aspirations.

This is a man who succeeded Jose Riveiro, who was a darling of supporters after helping the Buccaneers win five Cup finals and reach the CAF Champions League semi-finals.

Up next for the Soweto giants is a date with Marumo Gallants at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Tuesday.

Ouaddou's men cannot afford to lose two games in a row and after the Gallants match.

Failing to win Tuesday's game would likely exert enormous pressure on Pirates ahead of the weekend's MTN8 semi-final, first-leg match against Mamelodi Sundowns.