Orlando Pirates legend challenges Abdeslam Ouaddou's signings amid losing run as Mamelodi Sundowns clash looms - 'If fear is consuming you, go to the office and ask the chairman to release you'

Most Orlando Pirates new signings are yet to make a huge impact in the three games the Buccaneers have been involved in.

However, the likes of Oswin Appollis and Sihle Nduli have been impressive, but former Buccabneers midfielder Teboho Moloi still challenges the new arrivals to rise.

This comes after new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou oversaw the acquisition of 13 players in what was heavy activity in the transfer market.

“Being an Orlando Pirates supporter is not for the faint-hearted; what is happening to the team is not new,” Moloi told KickOff. 

“Other teams’ supporters are celebrating the downfall of Orlando Pirates. Every team wants to beat Pirates.  I don’t understand why the supporters are panicking so early in the season. Why are we panicking, Buccaneers? We need to remain calm. 

“Don’t allow what’s happening around you to shake you. I will only start to worry after five games. Also, this is a wake-up call for the new players. It’s during tough times that you need to show you are made of Orlando Pirates material," added the ex-midfielder. 

"This is the right moment for the new players to help lift Pirates out of its current situation. 

“If I were at Pirates right now, I would tell the new players, 'Hey, if fear is consuming you, please go to the office and ask the chairman to release you'. Why should we be afraid? Pirates is not a club for cowards," he continued. 

“Our negativity affects the players. Pirates will always surprise you when the odds are stacked against them. I’m not worried about the two losses.”

Ouaddou inherited a highly competitive side already conditioned to winning major trophies and capable of breaking Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance of the Premier Soccer League.

But some of the changes he has made seem to be backfiring as he appears to be mending what was not broken.

The freezing out of last season's regulars like Tshegofatso Mabasa, Deano van Rooyen, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa has seen the coach being viewed as shooting himself in the foot.

Saturday's MTN8 semi-final, first-leg clash with Sundowns is a test for the Buccaneers and their new signings to see if they would rise and show character by turning up where it matters the most.

Ouaddou could also succumb to pressure and start last season's top performers he has been sidelining.