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Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesBackpage
Kiplagat Sang

Orlando Pirates legend defends Abdeslam Ouaddou despite early PSL setbacks – 'Even Pitso Mosimane and Sir Alex Ferguson struggled'

Giving examples of legendary managers, the Pirates legend said the criticism has come too early, even before the coach establishes himself at Bucs.

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Article continues below

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  • Ouaddou under pressure
  • Pirates struggle in early PSL stage
  • Bucs legend wants more time for coach
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  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Orlando Pirates legend Edward 'Magents' Motale has asked that head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou needs to be given time to establish himself at the Premier Soccer League side.

    Bucs are without a point after two league games since they lost to Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants.

    Despite the criticism, Motale says it is too early for Ouaddou to be judged.

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  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    WHAT MOTALE SAID

    "Me, I'm saying let's give the coach a chance to establish himself," Motale told KickOff.com.

    "There's nothing wrong (with changes in the line-up) because I hear people say, 'Why, why, why?' but every coach has got his own methodology. So, he's trying to implement his own methodology."

  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    WHAT IS MORE

    The former AS Vita mentor gave examples of exemplary coaches who also struggled but ended up delivering.

    "(Miguel) Cardoso also came to Sundowns; he lost two games (struggled early in the CAF Champions League), and nobody said anything because he was establishing his methodology. He's winning now; nobody is saying anything," he added.

    "Pitso (Mosimane), you name the best coaches in the world. Sir Alex Ferguson came to Manchester (United); he struggled the whole season, and the next season he won everything. So let's give him (Ouaddou) a chance to establish what he wants to build."

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  • Abdoulaye Mariko and Siyabonga Nhlapho, Marumo Gallants vs Orlando PiratesBackpage

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Ouaddou has encountered huge pressure after his side registered back-to-back PSL losses.

    His decision to field new players at the expense of those who were regularly used last season has not helped matters, as the Moroccan is highly scrutinised in his early days as Bucs' boss.

    Pressure could mount even further if Mamelodi Sundowns beat Pirates in the MT8 semi-final and progress at the expense of the defending champions.

  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    WHAT NEXT FOR OUADDOU?

    A win against Sundowns and a successful defence of the MTN8 title will give the Moroccan a reprieve in a season he is expected to match or even do better than his predecessor, Jose Riveiro.

    Pirates will host Downs for the first leg of the semi-final encounter on Saturday.

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